The Hearthstone Community Campaign has taken another step towards its goal of raising $8 million for a new nursing home in Estevan.
The group announced Saturday morning, during its Coffee With Wally event, that they are 70 per cent of the way to their goal with $5.55 million raised. The $8 million goal represents the amount of money that must be raised locally before construction can proceed on the new facility which has an estimated $34 million price tag.
In making the announcement Saturday, Don Kindopp, chairman of the Hearthstone group, said he continues to be amazed by the generosity of local residents and the support they have shown for the much-needed facility.
"I really mean it when I say our community is generous," Kindopp said. "I think generosity springs out of understanding our needs and what we need to do as a community to make things happen there. I think our community is very understanding and that results in generosity and getting things done in the community here."
While making the announcement that they have reached the 70 per cent mark, Kindopp also acknowledged some of the recent donations from groups and businesses such as Rocket Sales and Rental, Southern Plains Co-op, Estevan Rotary Club, Panteluk Construction, Richard's Welding and Estevan Glass as well as donations from local residents Dick and Cathie Henders, Don and Gladys Knight and Ken Klarholm.
Kindopp said receiving donations and the support they have received from the community have made his involvement a very rewarding experience.
"We are less than two years into the campaign and we are 70 per cent of the way there, so it has been very rewarding to see the response," he said. "People understand the need."
Kindopp said although they have a goal of raising the $8 million in five years, he and his fellow committee members are working to raise that amount by the three-year mark and are almost three-quarters of the way there. He feels reaching their total remains a realistic goal.
"I believe it's possible. You set yourself goals and targets. We said three years and if we don't make it three years, we'll do it in five. We want to get it done as soon as we can."
Kindopp said they don't have any other events planned in the future outside of their Coffee with Wally gathering, which was held to raise awareness in the public about their work and to honour contributors.
