S0–when does the construction start? Well, first we have to raise the matching funds–the grant covers 50% of the cost, and must be matched with money raised by the Friends. This is a project which will cost about $50,000 overall, so it’s a big goal. And we won’t receive the grant money until the project is successfully completed, and the official report is accepted. The Friends have a good start on the matching funds, but more will certainly be needed. Your donation is tax-deductible, and will be greatly appreciated! You can find the donation forms at the Grange website: https://www.capitalcitygrange.
What else do we need to get started? We need your help raising that money–will your employer make donations to community projects like this? Will they match your contribution? Contact Patty Giavara of the FCCGH (pattycope@comcast.net) to find out how! We’ll be needing some volunteer labor to do demolition, when we are ready to start construction, and also for painting the completed projects. Contact me to sign up to help during the construction! We need to fine-tune the plans before we start. We’ll be planning the schedule for the work so that we can minimize the time the bathrooms are out of commission–we are expecting to put a couple of Port-A-Potties in the parking lot to help out, and won’t want to do that in the middle of winter!
Watch for the Friends’ fundraiser, which ends on Sept. 6th! Every year, the FCCGH and the Contra Dance Umbrella (CDU) hold a “challenge fundraiser”, which asks the dance and Grange community to match a “challenge” amount raised from a small number of loyal supporters. This year, the total to match will be $2,000, and the goal is a total of $4,000. Half of this will support the Grange’s operating expenses, and the other half will go to the renovation project. We’ll be collecting donations starting on August 16th, with the big push coming on Saturday, Sept. 6th, at a contra dance featuring Nils Fredland and the Free Raisins! And did we mention the dessert potluck?
We’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Capital City Grange this year, so please be generous! It seems as if we have a great opportunity to “reboot” our Hall with this major project, we look forward to lots of contributions, as we all work together to update our community Hall.