Citizens Group Formed
This week upon learning Shepherd of the Hills church listed a 2.2-acre portion of green space that has been used by the community for decades, an organization called "New Glarus Cares" was formed to raise funds and acquire the land. The community organization includes local citizens and former New Glarus alum who want to help to fund projects and improve the greater good for New Glarus.
At the moment, the focus of New Glarus Cares is to raise funds, negotiate with the village for certain conditions necessary to acquire the property, and seek public funds from the village which have already set aside for Candy Cane Park to be used to help fund the acquisition of the property.
"We believe the green space now owned by Shepherd of the Hills Church is a valuable asset for the community," said Shelly Johnson, a founding member of New Glarus Cares. "The large, beautiful green lawn by Candy Cane Park has essentially served as an extension of Candy Cane Park for more than 50 years and we feel it should stay that way. It is used for many different outdoor activities and many different organizations, and we don’t feel there is an acceptable replacement it is acquired and developed by someone from outside of our community.
On Saturday New Glarus Cares launched its website NEWGLARUSCARES.com, which is accepting pledges to help purchase the green space. After just a weekend of fundraising approximately 15% of is goal has already been reached. To fund the rest the organization is asking the village to contribute and allow naming rights for the green space and park to be sold. "We feel we have an excellent plan to raise the funds needed to acquire the property. If so, it would be an excellent example of a private-public partnership working together to do something that benefits everyone in the community." Johnson said. Donations are now being accepted at this time, only pledges. The organization will begin collecting donations once the village and the community finds a plan to acquire the park and keep it as it is, and when the group can issue tax deductible receipts for everyone’s donation. Pledges and donations can remain anonymous, too.
“Though we are not collecting money just yet, we need everyone’s pledges now. Pledges will show how serious the community is about keeping the large green space behind Shepherd of the Hills so it can be enjoyed by many more generations to come."
Those wanting to join New Glarus Cares, volunteer to help, make a pledge please go to https://www.newglaruscares.com or email the organization at info@newglaruscares.com.
