Cliff Buchan
News Editor

A fund-raising drive in Forest Lake to keep the ISD 831 Teen Center open has collected more than $22,000.

A mock check was presented to teen center officials Monday, culminating a two-month effort that exceeded goals of one of the organizers, Bo Bogotty, owner of UpperDeck in Forest Lake.

In February, Bogotty launched a fund-raising drive that promised to raise more than $10,000 to help the teen center. Bogotty came forward after ISD 831 officials said the center may be forced to close because of a lack of funds to operate the after-school facility at the Central Learning Center.

Fund-raising efforts by the UpperDeck staff, Bogottyís personal donation and the flow of cash from community businesses and groups pushed the drive beyond targets.

A $10,000 anonymous donation announced last month was a key point in the success of the drive.

Bogotty said he became committed to help the teen center after a visit with teen center coordinator Kathy Bystrom and talking to kids. As a volunteer counselor of first-time teen offenders for the Youth Service Bureau, Bogotty said he was keenly aware of the need to keep the teen center open.

ìA city our size needs to have a safe place in a supervised setting where our teens can go after school,î Bogotty said. After meeting with the teens, Bogotty said many had tears in their eyes over the prospect of the center being forced to close.

After announcing the drive this winter, Bogotty provided the seed money with a $3000 donation from the UpperDeck coffers.

The bar and restaurant, with strong support from staff, began selling $2 and $5 hearts to bar and restaurant patrons.

Thanks to the steady contributions from UpperDeck patrons, the fund-raising drive made progress.

The $10,000 donation was an unexpected windfall, Bogotty said.

The drive also saw a big bump thanks to five other donations that topped $1000 each.

The additional donations came from Richard and Elisa Granger, Novakís GMC Pontiac, ERA Muske Co. Community Support program, Lee Kempís Forest Lake Ford and the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association.

The list of donors who contributed $100 to $999.99 included: Commissioner Dennis Hegb erg, Mayor Terry Smith, Forest Laker, Denny Hecker, Ed Meier, Suburban Glass and Mirror, Golfview Lobster Shop, Clauson Dealer Services LLC, Forest Hills United Methodist Church, Messiah Lutheran Church and High Point Sales.

When the final tally was made this week, the fund-raising drive had netted $22,004.

Bystrom said Monday the generous fund-raising effort should ensure the teen center remains open for at least another year.

The hearts collected by the UpperDeck staff will be displayed on the walls of the teen center.

ìI sincerely apologize to those who gave but are not listed simply because we were unable to read the names they wrote on their hearts,î Bogotty said. ìAll those who gave opened their hearts when they bought the hearts. They serve as evidence that the donors not only understood the need to keep the center open, they did something to make that happen.î

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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