Oct 23 update: YOU DID IT! Over 100 of you raised $18,640 (including payments made directly to CLWA). Thank you!!! Here's what happens now: (1) $15,000 will be used for watershed restoration; (2) $3,640 will be contributed to Greenbelt for the 133 Essex acquisition per our previously-stated commitment; (3) a special Greenbelt match is triggered as well: a small group of Chebacco donors pledged $10,000 to Greenbelt (if CLWA reached its $15,000 goal) for the acquisition of 133 Essex, 66 acres of cherished trails and ecologically significant land; and (4) CLWA will continue to enthusiastically support Greenbelt's fundraising. Thank you for a tremendous campaign!!

Original post:

Give to watershed restoration -- defeat algae blooms! The campaign launched on Oct 5 and we're over a third of the way to $15,000 needed to match approximately $50,000 in public funding from Essex, Hamilton, and the Commonwealth to complete a watershed restoration plan to combat excessive nutrients, oxygen depletion at the lake bottom, and other stressors that triggered this summer's harmful algae bloom and threaten the habitat and human enjoyment of the lake and watershed.

The target for the campaign is $15,000 from 100 donors by Chebacco Giving Day on October 22. We officially launched the campaign on Oct 5 at the Fall Forum annual meeting. See chebaccolake.org for info.

Founded in 1985, the Chebacco Lake & Watershed Association (CLWA) represents all residents and users of the watershed, working closely with the Towns of Essex and Hamilton and relevant agencies of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

CLWA's 501(c)3 application is pending; we hope to be approved by the end of the year. In the meantime, if that inhibits your giving, we have a workaround. Please be in touch!

Special note: CLWA strongly supports Greenbelt's $3.7M fundraising campaign to acquire 133 Essex Street, the largest private, developable parcel in the watershed. That led us to an unusual promise: until Greenbelt reaches its goal, any funds raised in excess of our $15,000 target will be contributed to Greenbelt's campaign.

Prefer to write a check? Send a check to CLWA, PO Box 2344, South Hamilton, MA 01982.