Monday, October 15, 2007

Equine center construction in progress

Construction is underway on our new equine center, and we are over 60% of the way toward our fundraising goal for the project. The shell of the facility will be erected over the next 5-6 weeks with the interior being finished out through the winter and spring as funds allow. A ribbon-cutting event is in the works for the spring, as is an appeal to the Home’s donor base.

“We hoped to have the building up before winter sets in,” according to Mike Schroth, Executive Director of the Home. “If all goes well, the equine center will be up and operational by the end of November so we can move the equine program indoors.” Mr. Schroth says the facility will allow the Home to fully-implement their Equine-Assisted Counseling program year round regardless of weather.

To date, over $370,000 has been raised toward a $600,000 goal which includes both the facility and an operating endowment. Major donors so far include the H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees; the Josephine Schell Russell Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee; the Campbell Lodge Boys' Home Foundation; Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.; and three anonymous donors. A $50,000 matching grant has also been pledged from the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee; Campbell Lodge has until June 2008 to raise another $50,000 to receive the matching funds.