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FL Area Children's Fund will need capital drive |
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Wednesday, 02 April 2008 |
In its 21 years of providing winter clothing to kids in need, the Forest Lake Area Children’s Fund has provided more than 2200 coats and nearly 900 boots to kids who might otherwise go without.
In recent years, thanks to the generous funding from the United Way, the volunteer board of the non-profit organization has carried on the mission that was launched in 1987.
That will change in 2008 as the discontinuance of United Way funding is forcing the Forest Lake Area Children’s Fund to launch a fund drive.
It was a small venture that first year when coats for 30 children were purchased with money donated by its volunteer members.
The program, which partners with ISD 831 Schools, serves children of all ages living within the school district. Coats, boots, caps and mittens are provided for youth in all schools, public and private.
Over two decades of service, the program has grown. In 2007, coupled in part with the downturn in the economy, the children’s fund provided 173 coats and 162 mittens.
On average, $70 is needed to provide warm clothing to each child identified for help by school staff members who work in partnership with the families.
Last year saw $12,000 spent in terms of new clothing purchases and the use of items in the FLACF inventory. The United Way, in its last year of funding the organization, provided $8727.43 of support.
Why the change? The funding was lost as a result of a new United Way strategic plan that identified three primary areas: hunger, housing and economic self-sufficiency.
“With the approval of this plan, United Way is no longer funding programs/agencies that provide clothing as its primary service,” said Elizabeth Johnson, director of operations-community impact, Greater Twin Cities United Way.
“We understand that there is a need for this service in communities and United Way felt it is best to focus on these three goals in order to make the highest impact investments to meet the community’s human needs that were identified through the strategic planning process.”
That decision was a blow to the volunteer board of the FLACF. Two winter meetings have outlined tentative plans that the organization will pursue with the goal of raising funds to continue its mission.
Board members have made contacts with Wal-Mart in Forest Lake to explore a possible monetary donation or grant from the company and to partner with the local store for discounted purchases and donations of new winter clothing.
The board is also exploring a breakfast benefit this fall in partnership with Applebee’s in Forest Lake.
A budget of approximately $10,000 is anticipated for 2008.
More fund-raising activities will be announced this spring.
The organization is also accepting donations from the public. Individuals or businesses wishing to support the organization may send donations to the Forest Lake Area Children’s Fund, PO Box 772, Forest Lake, MN 55025.
Julie Ohman, director of community education in ISD 831, is chair of the volunteer board. Virginia Hartmann, Forest Lake, is treasurer and chief buyer of winter clothes.
Other board members are Dan Poepard, Cliff Buchan, Mike Conway, Dick Johnson, Greg Lindeberg and Marlene Nelson.
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