LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Heart of the Community |
CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Founder's Circle kicks off its 5 year Capital Building Fund with $150,000 in pledges
"Tonight we launch our dream by cutting a red ribbon. At each step along the way we're going to cut another color on our way to creating the rainbow ribbon that will one day stretch across the front door of the new CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. At that point we'll be able to fling the doors wide open and finally say, 'welcome home!'" With those words, CAMP Rehoboth Board President, Murray Archibald, with the help of CAMP Rehoboth Director Steve Elkins, Treasurer Natalie Moss, and CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project Members Andrea Andrus, Maggie Shaw, Maggie Ottato, Dan Goren and Randy Overbaugh cut a red ribbon to officially kick-off the five year Capital Building Fund Campaign and Founder's Circle for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project. The symbolic ribbon cutting was a part of the program at the recent CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project event in the new Atlantic Sands Ballroom on Baltimore Avenue. In front of the enthusiastic crowd at the event, the Project members explained that the Founder's Circle would be the primary tool for raising the capital needed to buy and build the new Community Center in downtown Rehoboth. "Though there are still many questions regarding exact location and final cost," said Murray Archibald, "it has become apparent to the Project Committee that, as daunting as it sounds, we will need to raise close to a million dollars. Certainly we have to raise capital before we can secure property." In his speech, Murray explained that the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center's Founder's Circle is a fund raising tool only, and has nothing to do with eventual membership in the Community Center. "The Center will always be open to everyone," he said, "gay, straight, rich, poor, young or old." He also implored the crowd to give over and above what they are already giving. " We do not want you to stop your generous giving to existing programs, projects and organizations," he said, "...but we do want and need your financial support, and it is for that reason that we have developed the Founder's Circle. The Founder's Circle will raise money for the Capital Building Fund. The Founder's Circle will provide the opportunity for all of us to become a permanent part of the foundation of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center." As part of the evening, the new CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project Founder's Circle brochure was introduced. The brochure explains the various levels and benefits that accompany each level of Founder's Circle membership. "Every level will receive permanent listing in the records of the Founder's Circle," Murray continued. "At the higher levels, you can even have your name or that of a loved one inscribed on a brick, a tile, a door, or a room. We will, of course, always accept the full amount for these levelsright now, tomorrow, or anytime during the next five yearsbut to make it easier, you can also work the Community Center into your budget, and pledge the amount over the next five years." The various levels of the Founder's Circle are: Individual memberships for one year at $100 and for three years at $250. (All other levels are available for not only individuals, but couples or families as well.) For $500, or $100 per year for five years, you can be a Friend and have a five year membership. (All the levels above Friend are lifetime memberships.) For $1,000 or $200 a year for five years, you can be a Supporter. For $2,500 or $500 a year for five years, you can be a Contributor and have your name, or that of a loved one inscribed on a brick in the Founder's Walkway. For $5,000 or $1,000 a year for five years, you can be a Patron and have your name or that of a loved one inscribed on a tile on the Wall of Founders. For $10,000 or $2,000 a year for five years, you can be a Builder and have a door named in your honor or that of a loved one. For $15,000 or $3,000 a year for five years, you can be a Founder and have a room named after you or a loved one. It was also explained that pledges could be made monthly or quarterly. "We're trying to be as flexible as possible," said CAMP treasurer Natalie Moss, "and to make it easy for everyone to find a way to participate." There are also gifts and premiums that accompany the various levels, including tickets to the annual Founder's Day event, T-shirts, beach bags and umbrellas. "We're off to a great start," says Steve Elkins, "support continues to come in every day. Just a couple of weeks into the campaign, and we're over $150,000 in contributions and pledges. The most exciting part," he continues "has been the amazing involvement of so many enthusiastic volunteers over the past two years. This whole thing has grown out of the Project Advisory Committeeover fifty people working to determine the needs of our community." "We need the Community Center," Murray says, "because our CAMPsafe and Men's Health programs are growing and we need room for staff, for meetings and for events; because The Women's Project is growing and needs room for staff, meetings and events; because we have a growing number of support groups meeting all over town; because other organizations need places to meet; because we need a resource library with internet connections; because we need a youth program; because we need a place for activities for senior citizens...because our mission calls us to be a 'focal point for connecting people, activities and resources.' " Murray ended the event with a plea for everyone to find ways of enlisting the support of other members of the community. "We need you to throw dinner parties and events that raise money for the Circle. We need you to think of creative ways of raising money. We need all of you to dream the dream, to build the dream, to be the creative force that will become the heart that is at the center of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center logo and its mission." To become a member of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project's Founder's Circle, to have a brochure mailed to you, or for more information, call CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620. CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project members and volunteers gather for the Founder's Circle kick-off event at the Atlantic Sands Hotel. TOP ROW Dan Goren, Murray Archibald, Maggie Shaw, Steve Elkins, Joan Glass, Andrea Andrus and Alex Yearley. BOTTOM ROW Peter Robinson, Keith Neale, Arthur Dochterman, Michael Roussell, Wayne Juneau, Tom Negran, Beth Fitton, Mary Morgan, Kathy LaVelle, Kelli Steele, Ellen Feinberg, Lesley Rogan, Natalie Moss, Libby Stiff, Randy Overbaugh, Maggie Ottato, Jim Dickinson, Tom Minnuto, Gene Dvornick, Wes Rogers, Sal Seeley, Martha Genovere and Steve Hoult. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 7, June 15, 2001. |