Commentary; Posted: 5/11/05
When it comes to giving, big hearts, deep pockets needed
By Cliff Buchan
There is no question that the Forest Lake area in many ways is known for its kind people who have big hearts. When it comes to volunteering and working on good causes, area citizens have been second to none in many cases over the years.
It is now clear that the big hearts will need to be matched with deep pockets if a number of deserving projects and organizations are to meet goals and continue their service.
A group of community leaders and citizens were told of the Youth Service Bureau plight at a gathering in Forest Lake last Thursday. With grants and governmental aid drying on the vine, the YSB must turn to the community more and more for the dollars it needs to support its $500,000 annual budget. Without that help, programs that are designed to help troubled youth and their families will dry on the vine.
Itís just one of several organizations that face pressing financial needs this spring and summer.
The Community Scholarship Foundation has set an ambitious goal of $50,000 for awards to members of the Forest Lake High School class of 2005 and previous graduates. As of late last week, the CSF fund-raising drive is yet to break $40,000, the amount it raised and awarded in 2004.
Tax deductible donation to the 2005 CSF drive can still be sent to Julie Carver, c/o Student Services, Forest Lake High School, 6101 Scandia Trail North, Forest Lake MN 55025. More information about the Community Scholarship Foundation can be found at www.ForestLakeCSF.org.
Waiting in the wings is the fund-raising push for the annual Forest Lake Relay for Life, the fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society. The August event will carry a fund-raising goal this year of in excess of $100,000.
Forest Lakeís Relay for Life has a history of success and we know its many committed volunteers will be working hard again this spring and summer to meet the 2005 goals.
Sometimes a giving public is stretched too thin during years when funds may be tight. We would ask that area residents look inside their hearts and support those programs that they value and in ways they can afford.
Youth Service Bureau leaders were able to get their point across last week. A total of $14,000 was donated by the assembled group.
It is a good starting point for the YSBís $100,000 fund-raising project that will continue throughout the year.
In difficult times when funding sources go sour and fund-raising goals continue to increase, Forest Lake residents and organizations have found ways to succeed. With a little luck, and those big hearts and deep pockets, Forest Lake will continue its tradition of success.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605