PRESS RELEASES

Mystery Donor Issues $10,000 Challenge - Posted on 2008-07-15

ST. STEPHEN – An enthusiastic supporter of the Charlotte County Civic Centre has issued a challenge.
He or she has written a cheque for $10,000 and wants the same commitment from at least nine other supporters.
But there’s a catch.
Although that first cheque for $10,000 is on the table, it can’t be cashed, nor can the identity of the donor be revealed until nine others make the same financial commitment, said Peter Heelis, co-chair of the civic centre fundraising campaign.
Heelis said this is not a bad problem to have, provided nine others step up to the plate.
The anonymous challenger, in a written statement, said he or she doesn’t think this will be an issue and wants to get things rolling.
“We need this project,” the supporter said. “The money is here in St. Stephen to make it happen. Folks just need to reach in their pockets, take out their cheque books and write the cheques. That’s what I’m trying to get them to do with this challenge.”
Norah Heelis, a member of the fundraising campaign committee, said there is no deadline to the challenge.
“It’s open-ended,” she said. The mystery supporter’s request to remain anonymous came with the explanation that he or she wants the challenge to be about the project and getting it done. They do not wish to draw attention to themselves.
“Every community of St. Stephen’s size already has a civic centre type of facility,” said the supporter.
“We are falling behind. If we want our citizens to have the same advantages as those in the rest of the province, we need to get on board and support this project. If we don’t, we are going to continue to lose the next generation to other places that do have facilities and it is going to get harder and harder to attract newcomers, even retired former residents, to our town.”
The anonymous supporter said a lot of St. Stephen residents were given a good start in their hometown because the generation before them was progressive and provided them with the facilities and opportunities necessary at the time.
“Many of us built on that foundation, either here in St. Stephen or away, and did very well. It’s time to give back and make sure our community offers the same advantages to the next generation,” said the $10,000 donor.
“This donation offer is not the first to request anonymity,” said Peter Heelis.
“We are set up to ensure that any donors can remain anonymous if they want to and in the case of this challenge, anyone who wants to participate can request anonymity be kept even after the challenge is met.
“The important thing is to make this project happen. We are really pleased to have people like this come on side with such generosity and it also throws in a little fun.”
Anyone wishing to participate in this challenge can contact Peter or Norah Heelis, the honourary cochairs, Diane and David Ganong, or any of the campaign cabinet members Fred and Madeliene Drummie, John Taylor, Greg Fash, Bob Brown, Steve Backman, Debbie Gullison, Lori Toombs, David Mitchell, Heather Cunningham, Ralph Williams, Jim Maxwell and Richard Fulton, or the campaign headquarters at 466-5095.