Groups update status of capital campaigns
by Carol Crump
If you’re looking for a way to make the holiday spirit last longer than yesterday’s wrapping paper, several community organizations could use your financial support.
All of these nonprofit organizations are in the midst of capital campaigns that will positively affect the community for many years to come.
Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions
“This community really steps up,” said Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions Executive Director Marilyn Conner.
Central Wyoming Hospice is a little more than half way to the $8 million goal that will add 10 new beds in a second hospice home and more space for outpatient services on the site at 319 S. Wilson.
The existing hospice home also will be remodeled to eight private rooms as part of the project.
According to Conner, now is the perfect time to donate to help Hospice reach its goal before the groundbreaking in April. For every dollar donated, the McMurry Foundation will provide a 50-cent match, up to $1 million.
For information, contact Conner at Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions, 577-4832.
Child Development Center of Natrona County
The Child Development Center of Natrona County’s expansion is close to completion.
It’s so close that $200,000 will put the $5.9 million capital campaign over the top, said Director John Starnes.
The addition to the existing center at 2020 E. 12th St. increases the size of the building by 25,000 square feet. The additional space will allow the CDC -- which annually serves 450 Natrona County children from birth to age 5, with and without special needs or developmental progress effects -- to combine three locations onto one site that will better serve the children and families.
“A little shove over the top is all we need,” Starnes said.
Joshua’s Storehouse
“Thanks to all the caring people in Casper, we’re $25,000 from paying the whole building off,” said Joshua’s Storehouse representative Jay Martin.
The food bank has been raising funds to meet the $250,000 purchase price of the leased building they currently occupy.
Any additional money raised will go to cover closing costs and fees or to purchase more food to give away.
“We’re seeing more (clients) all the time,” Martin said. “They’re moving here to find a job and it takes a month or so to get on their feet.”
Joshua’s is a volunteer-run organization that does not charge for food or have paid employees.
“We’re 100 percent nonprofit,” Martin said.
For information, call Martin at 259-2451. Donations can be taken to Joshua’s, 334 S. Wolcott St. in downtown Casper.
Central Wyoming Counseling Center
The CWCC has stepped up to the plate to address the need for residential treatment for Natrona County’s substance abuse problems.
Construction is close to completion on an 86-bed, 44,000-square-foot treatment center addition to the north end of the present building at 1430 Wilkins Circle.
The treatment center, with separate areas for men, women, women with children, and adolescents, also will include space for social detox.
So far, Executive Director Mike Huston said the community has stepped up to commit just over $6 million to the project, approximately $2.2 million short of the total estimated CWCC needs to completely pay for the $8.2 million addition by the time construction is complete in late June.
For information, contact Huston at 237-9583.
Central Wyoming Senior Center
The Central Wyoming Senior Center, 1831 E. Fourth St., hopes to double the size of the facility’s dining room and add more kitchen, activity and parking space for the growing population of baby boomers.
The biggest piece of the $2.8 million needed for the expansion will come from Optional One Percent Sales Tax revenue, but $800,000 was needed to complete the project.
“We have good supporters and we’re close to meeting the goal),” said Director Wayne Clements, with grants from the McMurry Foundation and the Daniels Fund and contributions by individual donors bringing the campaign within $75,000 of its goal.
For information, contact Clements at 265-4678.
Field of Dreams
Casper Youth Baseball has big dreams: a multi-field baseball complex on K Street in North Casper for kids ages 7-12. Phase I -- two fields for kids 9-10 and one for those 11-12 -- is finished and ready for play in May 2008.
The next $2 million phase is three more fields in a section CYB plans to call the Energy Field. According to Commissioner of Youth Baseball Marcus Hayden, the first $700,000 has been raised. CYB hopes to have the Energy Field complete for play in May 2009.
For information, call Hayden at 277-0590, or donations may be sent to CYB, P.O. Box 1966, Casper 82602.
Casper Civic Auditorium
“It may appear we’re stalled, but we’re still working toward building a Civic Auditorium,” said Campaign Director Patti Bratton.
With the initial site on Platte River Commons off the table, the CCA currently is working with the City of Casper to explore other possible locations for a proposed 1,000-seat performing arts center for the community.
According to Bratton, nothing has changed so far in the plans to build a state-of-the-art center, and new pledges, as well as payments on previously made pledges, are being accepted.
For information or to get a pledge card, call 473-1642 or visit the office at 110 W. Second St.