Project Needs List

The following list describes the current immediate needs of the Navajo Lutheran Mission. Many of the first items are maintenance related and are high cost, but the Mission is 56 years old, and several of the structures were built over 50 years ago. Upkeep and repairs are constantly necessary to keep the Mission running. Costs listed are broad estimates. Although a capital campaign is in the Mission’s future, today we need to do the best we can to maintain the current buildings.

We are praying that perhaps a church, volunteer group or individual can take on a project or portion of a project from the list below. If you think this is something you are able to do, please contact the Executive Director for questions or to make a commitment to the Mission.

• Clinic Renovation Materials
• New Maintenance Shed
• Sewer System Repair
• New School Buses
• School Playground
• Roofing Materials
• Stucco Buildings
• Landscaping Materials
• Safety Doors for School
• Miscellaneous Items

Clinic Renovation Materials - Estimated Cost = $10,000

1. 2x4s and drywall - $1,800
2. Light and electrical supplies - $2,500
3. Plumbing supplies and toilet - $3,000
4. Paint and finishing supplies - $700
5. Windows/doors - $2,000

The Navajo Mission recently received a grant from the Johnson and Johnson Company to establish a health care and education center at the Mission. This service is critically needed as residents currently have to drive over 50 miles to get any type of health care. The grant funds cover operating costs and salaries, but not the initial renovation of our existing site. This was the second building to be put up at the Mission, and was built in 1954!

New Maintenance Shed - Estimated Cost = $103,500

1. Large pre-fabricated metal structure - $65,000
2. Cement slab - $15,000
3. Electric hookup/AC and heat - $15,000
4. Plumbing - $3,000
5. Partition wood, drywall (in certain rooms) and paint - $3,000
6. Windows/doors - $2,500

The present maintenance shed was the first building to be constructed on Mission grounds. Over the years it has been modified, and areas added to it, but to date, it does not have water, heat or air conditioning. It is extremely cold in the winter for the crew to work, and in summer, with nothing but a metal roof overhead, it gets boiling hot. It is also necessary for storage and protection for our school buses, as currently we have no structure to protect the vehicles from the sun and the winter ice.

Sewer System repair - Estimated Cost = $19,500

1. Rebuild walls and structure at lagoon field site (cement blocks, mortar, backhoe rental, construction) - $4,000
2. Replace sewer pipes to existing structures - $15,000
3. Fencing - $500

The Office of Environmental Health recently completed a sanitary survey report and this was sited as a project that needed repair to be brought up to OEH standards. When pipes were put in many years ago, they were meant for a smaller system; over the years, the Mission has grown, and now many of the pipes are leaking, blocking and backing up frequently and must be replaced by larger pipes.

New School Buses - Estimated Cost = $21,000 to $180,000

1. Three small, used school buses (25 seats) - $7,000 each, or,
   Three new buses, same size - $60,000 each

The Mission provides transportation for students, and drives daily on hard, bumpy, and muddy roads. In the past, we received 15 passenger vans from collecting Campbell’s Soup labels, but now, due to new laws about school buses, we can no longer use this type of van for transportation of children (We still receive 8 passenger vans from Campbell’s). Our vans are well over 10 years old, and desperately need to be replaced with newer, reliable, higher suspension buses. This is a critical need for the next school year!

School Playground - Estimated Cost = $23,500

1. Repaving of outside basketball court - $10,000
2. Padding of playground areas with rubber, carpet pieces or other safety materials - $3,500
3. Heavy duty canopy to cover metal slide and areas in hot sun - $6,000
4. New playground Equipment - $4,000

The Mission School houses 60 school children who play on a very hard surface, which is dusty and very dangerous if kids should fall off awning or other playground equipment. Padding of some type is needed to ease a fall and prevent serious injuries. The OEH cited this as a safety issue. In addition, the small basketball court, where our team the “Blue Jays” practice, is in desperate need of repaving. Currently there are holes, cracks, and gravel that hinder the game and make the children more susceptible to injuries.

Roofing materials - Estimated Cost = $12,000

1. Metal roofing/supplies for four remaining buildings - $10,000
2. Gutter replacement - $2,000

The Mission is located in a high wind area, and the present roof shingles are well over 20 years old. There are many leaks in the roofs, which cause damage to the ceilings and walls of the structures. Although the Mission has managed to cover many of the Mission buildings with permanent metal roofing, there are still 4 buildings to complete.

Stucco Buildings - Estimated Cost = $6,000

1. Stucco for Mission office and thrift shop/clinic - $6,000

Last summer, with the assistance of a few very dedicated volunteers, we were able to stucco several Mission buildings, which resulted in lower energy bills this winter, and a more pleasing look to the overall Mission. There are still 2 buildings to complete before this winter.

Landscaping materials - Estimated Cost = $7,500

1. Gravel/sand and dirt for mud areas - $2,000
2. Fencing - $800
3. Decorative edging/trim - $600
4. Mortar and cement - $3,000
5. Tools - $300
6. Plants and bushes - $800

Rock Point is located in a very windy area, and dust storms are very common. When the rain falls, the ground becomes one big mud lake. To prevent dust and water from accumulating in certain areas, we are trying to fill in with decorative stones, pave some areas and put up fencing and some decorative plants and landscaping. Not only does this provide a functional purpose, it also adds to the aesthetic value and well-being of the staff and community.

Safety Doors for School - Estimated Cost = $9,500

1. Ten (10) Bar Doors that push out from the inside - $950 per door

Most of the school entrance doors are out of code, and we were cited by the OEH for not having fire safe exits - doors that swing out when you push on the bar.

Miscellaneous Items

1. Flooring for 3 apartments - tile or linoleum - $900
2. Mission office flooring - Pergo - $800
3. Bathroom installed in Mission office - $1,500
4. Upkeep paint and supplies - $1,000
5. Window replacement - $1,200

All of these projects have been put on hold in order to fund more important things and in some cases are half finished; flooring in several rooms, painting and replacement of cracked or old windows and a bathroom in the main Mission office is definitely needed.

List last updated on 2008-04-15.