Help Mount Jewett get a Community Center!

The Mount Jewett Hilltop Heritage Coalition is looking at the most exciting and scariest opportunity we've ever seen, which would mean the biggest fundraiser we've ever done. It's exciting because it could expand our mission exponentially, giving us a home base to host family events, programs, dances, classes, community meals, and so much more, as well as a new and bigger home base that could be used to manage and host our existing projects like the Summer Fun Lunch program, Wreaths Across America, Senior Banners, Boxes from Home, and even our Free Store (allowing our History Museum room to grow itself in the old bank building).

But it's also scary because we need to fundraise like never before to bring this Community Center dream to Mount Jewett at the old Catholic Church. It fits every need and dream we have, but we couldn't have dreamed of it being a possibility. Now that it is, the danger is that we could lose it to some other buyer before we can raise the funds.

While we absolutely have to pursue this opportunity and have already begun looking at grants, reaching out to local businesses and organizations, and have some monies now we could allocate to a building fund, we will still need everyone's help. This would, after all, be the Community's Community Center. Could a benefactor buy it and gift it? Could someone donate the whole amount? Those would be amazing possibilities. But more likely, it would take a team effort for everyone combined.

So here's how we will protect your investment, big or small. We will set aside a separate Community Center Fund to accept donations towards the purchase of the building. If we receive above and beyond, any additional funds will be allocated to ongoing repairs, maintenance, upkeep and building-only costs. If, for any reason, we lose this opportunity by someone else buying it out from under us before we've raised the necessary monies, everyone will get their full donations returned (just make sure to leave your name with any donations made). We will be setting up donation locations throughout the borough, as well as this online fundraiser.

We know this is doable and we believe this can be an amazing addition to our town. Together, we can make this dream a reality.