Friends of the Park set $7,500 goal

The Putnam County Community Foundation awarded Friends of the Park of Putnam County with a $2,500 matching grant to build an endowment to $7,500.

Contributions and gifts made to the Friends of the Park endowment will be matched, $1 from the Community Foundation for every $2 given by the public through Nov. 30 up to a cumulative dollar amount of $7,500.

Friends of the Park of Putnam County is dedicated to providing support for recreation in Greencastle and Putnam County. The organization has been instrumental in the success of various projects such as the Emerald Palace Playground, People Pathways, the Putnam County Skatepark, Celebrate 4 at Robe-Ann Park, and most recently, Mary Rogers Field Park. Friends of the Park gives citizens a unique opportunity to work cooperatively with governmental agencies to create recreational opportunities for the enjoyment of all.

Establishing a strong endowment allows the Friends of the Park to provide for ongoing maintenance of completed projects as well as to establish seed money for future programs and projects.

"The endowment is a wonderful way to ensure that the projects citizens have worked so hard on through the years will continue to be sustained for future generations of children and youth in the county," said Lynn Wilson, Friends of the Park Board President.

With an endowment at the Community Foundation, contributions are never spent, but are invested, and provide a charity with stable funding forever.

"The Friends of the Park endowment provides steady, sustainable funding from generous donors in the community who care about our parks, green spaces, and recreational opportunities," said Eric Wolfe, Community Development Director for the Community Foundation. "This matching gift opportunity increases the impact of every contribution to their endowment."

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Friends of the Park endowment and having gifts matched can send contributions to the Putnam County Community Foundation in care of Friends of the Park Endowment Fund, 2 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, 46135. Gifts other than cash, including realized planned gifts, will also be matched by the Community Foundation.

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to serve donors, award grants, and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County for this and future generations. For questions, call 653-4978 or visit www.pcfoundation .org.

Friends of the Park of Putnam County was established in 1994. The mission of the organization is to promote the health, recreation and physical education of children and families in the Greencastle and Putnam County community. The Friends of the Park of Putnam County welcomes new members and contributors of both human and financial resources.

For more information, please contact Friends president Lynn Wilson at 765-246-6306.