The Dawson County Senior Center is steps closer to having a new elevator at the facility after a pheasant shoot on Saturday raised more than $8,500 for the cause.

“We don’t know the exact penny amount, but we know we’re about half way there,” said Margie Weaver, center director. “We know the elevator is going to cost $60,000.”

Weaver calls fundraisers like the weekend pheasant shoot held on about 40 acres on Goldmine Road a blessing to the center and the seniors who utilize the facilities.

“So many good people came out in support of our program. Some of them told me this was a good way to have a good time while also helping us,” she said.

Organizer David McKee said he intends to hold the shoot annually.

“A large portion of the senior centers operations has to be from fundraisers,” he said. “We plan to do this every year to benefit the center.”

McKee called the event “a huge success.”

More than 40 shooters rotated through 20 stations and 300 birds. McKee said about 80 percent of the participants returned for the event, which is now in its second year.

“All the feedback we got was positive. They all want us to hold it twice a year, because they had so much fun,” he said.