Good News: Connections Campaign Goal Reached!

On September 27, 2010 Messiah Village announced an historic milestone! The largest capital campaign in our history, Connections, has been completed and has exceeded its original $3.5 million goal. After several years of hard work, we have raised $3,694,481 for the Endowment Fund and the Special Care and Chapel Entrance renovations. On behalf of the board and all the campaign staff and volunteers, I wish to express our deep gratitude and appreciation for everyone who made a gift. All gifts are appreciated but we are especially thankful for those people and groups who stepped up and made major commitments. The top ten campaign gifts helped ensure success. If you attended an awareness meeting, or a spaghetti supper, or a pancake breakfast, or volunteered in any way – we thank you! The campaign experienced some tough times in light of the struggling economy. Fortunately, our outstanding volunteers never wavered in their commitment.

This campaign has been significant in three specific ways:

First – it is the largest campaign we have ever undertaken at Messiah Village. Never before have we raised this much money for a capital project.
Second – we experienced unprecedented staff participation. Our employees contributed $143,150 and will have the Northside Entrance elevator named in your honor.
Finally- we received the largest gift in our history: $880,000 from the Norman T. Asper estate in January.

Each of these items is significant, but when you combine all three, it’s an amazing testimony to God’s providence and the hard work of many people.

We expect the project to be completed next year with formal dedication ceremonies likely to take place in the fall of 2011. Stay tuned as the construction unfolds and progress is made. We look forward to celebrating when the work is complete! Thank you for helping us enhance life in many ways.

Emerson L. Lesher, Ph.D.
President