$1.5 Million Milestone Achieved!!
The Capital Campaign is nearing the end of a brief but exciting and successful two-and-one-half months of activity since its beginning in mid-October, after the Food Festival. We are happy to report the parishioners of St. John the Baptist have, as of Sunday, December 20th, stepped forward to offer commitments in the total of amount of $1,552,010. We are humbled at the generosity displayed by these commitments and we are strengthened by our fellow parishioners’ demonstrated resolve to build the new church.
As of December 20th, this level of total commitment has been achieved by about one-half the number of stewards of the Parish. We are confident many of our as yet uncommitted stewards and regular parishioners will also decide to step forward during the remaining weeks of December before we conclude the Capital Campaign’s first year of activities… The Campaign will continue anew in the New Year as we strive to reach the ultimate goal of $2,400,000, of which the first $2.0 million will be for construction of the new church building.
During the first half of the year 2010, the Capital Campaign Committee’s focus will be on working with the Parish Council and the Building Committee to finalize plans for the Paulos Center Replacement addition to the hall/church building. We must build the Paulos Center Replacement and demolish the old building before we can start construction of the new church. This will take-up approximately the first half of the New Year during which time we hope our uncommitted parishioners will be able to make their commitments to the Capital Campaign Fund according to their abilities… At the same time, the CCC will be launching the Campaign BRIDGE program to Build communications, Report financial information; Involve new members; Discover new ministries; Grow our stewardship culture; and, Express our appreciation continually to those who are making it possible to “Build Our Future” with their commitments and contributions no matter what size. With the support of Fr. Vasile and the Parish Council, we hope to use the Capital Campaign and the development of the new church to prepare the Parish for the additional growth we expect with the opening of the new church and other renovated and expanded facilities over the next several years’ time.
As we have reported to the Parish at the various Campaign events, a financially secure Capital Campaign Fund Account has been opened at a local bank and arrangements have also been made for acceptance of non-cash contributions in payment of commitments for those who desire to transfer securities to the CCFA. Please contact the Council Treasurer or any member of the CCC for further information and directions as to the steps to take when transferring securities.
The members of your Capital Campaign Committee wish you and yours a Blessed Christmas and to all of us a very Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year…
George Vittas, Chairman, Dr. Chris Yiantsou, Paun Peters, Nancy Medvic, Louis Papaliodis and Margaret Chokas