From left: Dan Wells, Past District Deputy to the Grand Exalted Ruler; Dee Dee Formaster, founder of Do Drop In; Mary Retterer, Exalted Ruler; and Jim Plamenig, Past Exalted Ruler.
The founder of Do Drop In, a center for the homeless and location of the Rural Center for Independent Living in Carson City, was honored by Elks Lodge 2670.
Dee Dee Formaster was named Tahoe-Douglas Elks Citizen of the Year on Feb. 4.
Formaster started the center about 15 years ago with a $15,000 grant from Todd Butterworth of the Aging and Disability Services division of the Department of Health and Human Services.
It moved from 411 Hot Springs Road to its current location at 1895 E. Long St.
The center’s mission is to help the homeless stay off the streets successfully and safely. It provides information about jobs and housing and helps with filling out paperwork, finding resources, applying for Social Security and disability.
Clients also can use the facility to keep in contact with their family or just hang out.
Formaster said one person who lives on the streets for one year can use up to $40,000 a year in services. It costs about $7,300 a year to put someone in housing, which would allow them a stable environment to get back to work and provide for their families, she said.
The nonprofit keeps its doors open with the help of donations.
For information, call 775-841-2580.