|
The Alano Club of Kent County, located at 1020 College is dedicated to creating an environment for the alcoholic and their family to find refuge from the disease of alcholism. More than 3,700 visits are made to the Alano Club of Kent County each week, and than 1920,000 visits each year, 40% of which are duplicate visits from people who visit more than once a week. Nearly 2/3 of all Alcoholic Anonymous group meetings in Kent County are held at the Alano Club of Kent County (90 groups of 164 total groups in Kent County).
By 2003, the facility at 1020 College reached its capacity to meet community needs and was literally "busting at the seams." The demands of providing meeting space for 90 groups a week left the carpeting timeworn and threadbare throughout the building. Tables and chairs in meeting rooms were cobbled together over time and wer mismatched and creaky. Though the facility was painted just a few years ago, the walls and rooms were dingy and depressing.
But, the Alano Club of Kent County had not really done much annual fund-raising and it didn't have a base of philanthropic support to meet its needs. When it initially approached Monaghan Associates, it wasn't even certain it could mount an effective capital effort. However, the agency recruited a dynamic and resolute group of campaign volunteers, including a terrific chair, sought and received training for its Executive Director, Lisa Gort and quietly learned how to raise money.
In the end, the Alano Club of Kent County went over its $1.48 million goal, raising more than $1.7 million in just 14 months, this despite never raising significant funds on its behalf. The new expansion and the renovated existing facility will be LEED certified when completed and will be open to the public in July 2006.
|
|
