Pahrump Senior Center seating gets a sprucing up

As the Pahrump Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Scholarship Foundation prepares for its upcoming Summer Tea fundraiser at the Pahrump Senior Center, the nonprofit recently collaborated with Todd’s Carpet Cleaning on a project to spruce up some of the most-used items at the center - the seating.

Utilized by hundreds of people every week, both those turning out for meals and those using the space for group meetings and other activities, the chairs at the senior center have seen plenty of use and had accumulated their fair share of stains over the years. MLK Scholarship Foundation board member Kathleen O’Connor knew as soon as she started putting together the Summer Tea that this was something she wanted to help the senior center address beforehand and, with a strict budget in which to work, she began looking at the options.

“I originally contacted Stanley Steemer,” O’Connor told the Pahrump Valley Times. “That did not work out. Then, I found Todd’s Carpet Cleaning on Google and he met me at the senior center.”

Todd’s Carpet and Tile Cleaning Service is a locally owned company run by Todd Cottino. This company has been providing area residents and businesses with professional cleaning for tile, grout, carpet, drapery, garages, driveways, area rugs and vinyl plank flooring, as well as carpet repairs, re-stretching, dyeing and color correction since its establishment in 2011.

“At Todd’s Carpet and Tile Cleaning, we are committed to excellence and we believe in giving the highest level of one-on-one customer service. With over 30 years in the cleaning business, we have the experience, expertise and knowledge to do the job right. We stand behind our work and guarantee your satisfaction,” the company’s website states.

O’Connor said the first quote she received from Cottino would have consumed nearly all of her event budget so, she decided to see if he would be willing to provide a discount, as the chair cleaning was being done in support of a charitable fundraiser. She also offered to share the project with the community and, happy to oblige, Cottino agreed to reduce the price by several hundred dollars.

“For me this is a win-win-win!” O’Connor enthused.

A total of 90 chairs utilized in the senior center’s dining room received a thorough scrubdown with the professional cleaning company’s specialized machines and O’Connor was delighted, not just for the MLK Scholarship Foundation and its pending event but because the cleaning will benefit the many others who use the senior center, too.

“Admittedly, I was not concerned with the senior center for years, even though I am 81. I associated it with being ‘old and used up’,” O’Connor remarked. “When I got involved with the Nye County Democratic Central Committee, on which I am a board member, and we started having meetings and functions there, I realized how wrong I was.

“The senior center is a vital part of the Pahrump community. They serve delicious and nutritious meals to anyone, at ridiculously cheap prices, five days a week,” she continued. “They have a lending library. They rent the facility at a reasonable rate. They provide activities for many seniors. They transport seniors to shop or see a local doctor. They also lend or give durable medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, potties, etcetera, to anyone who asks!”

When it comes to the MLK Scholarship Foundation’s Summer Tea, O’Connor said she is excited for the event and optimistic that the community will throw its support behind the cause.

“The Summer Tea is the kickoff event to achieve our goal of giving 20 $1,000 scholarships to Pahrump High School seniors in 2027,” O’Connor explained. “The event will feature finger sandwiches, sweets by Willa’s Sweet Treats and of course, tea. We’ll have three speakers, Michelle Caird, B.J. Hetrick-Irwin and Ms. Senior Golden Years Queen 2026, Gina Emond. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffle items and we’ll have a flautist providing music during food service. We’re also having our corporate/charitable organizations who purchase tables decorate their tables and they will be eligible to be in a contest to win a donation to their cause.”

As of Thursday, August 20, there were two corporate/charitable organization tables still available for $250 each, which includes seating for six. There were 12 individual tickets available as well, for $45 per person. Donations of raffle items would also be appreciated.

The MLK Scholarship Foundation Summer Tea will take place Sunday, August 30 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Pahrump Senior Center, 1370 W. Basin Avenue, inside the Sunset Community.

Tickets are available by texting O’Connor at 775-537-7378.

Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com