Erie City Mission Receives Endorsement for 2009 Capital Campaign
On behalf of the Community Fund Drives Committee, I am pleased to announce that the Erie City Mission has received our endorsement for a capital campaign in 2009. The public phase of this fund drive will begin in December, 2008.
The Erie City Mission provides quality services and care that rebuild the lives of individuals and families impacted by the effects of addictions, poverty, homelessness and lack of hope. They are a beacon of hope to the area’s neediest individuals and families. The current state of the economy has caused an increase in the need for services and your support is more important than ever.
The Mission’s goal is to raise $4.5 million to rebuild the 100 year Erie City Mission/New Life Center. Because of the ravages of time and increasing demand for services to the poor, a new facility is vital for the Mission to house the homeless, feed the hungry and rescue the lost, right here at home. While the need for the Erie City Mission’s services and programs continues to increase, the current facility is structurally and functionally inadequate. It has been described by some staff and visitors as “being held together with duct tape and hope”. It is simply not an appropriate facility to deliver much needed services.
The Community Fund Drives Committee was established in 1975 by the Erie Conference on Community Development to prioritize and schedule community-wide fundraising campaigns. In 2005, the Community Fund Drives Committee was reorganized under the sponsorship of The Erie Community Foundation, the United Way of Erie County, and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership.
Following a detailed review, the Committee believes the campaign is well organized and the case for support is strong. During these difficult financial times, the Erie community is fortunate to have the Mission. We encourage you to consider supporting the Erie City Mission in their effort to better serve those in need.
Thank you for your continued investments in our region.
Thomas Vicary
Chairman