A mailing to all LPA members in mid-November is resulting in new donations to Friends of Lake Panorama, but additional donations are being sought. The mailing included details of the nonprofit organization, its two current priority projects and a donation guide.
The Friends of Lake Panorama is a 501(c)(3) charity focused on improving recreational amenities at Lake Panorama. All contributions to the nonprofit are tax deductible, and all donors will receive a receipt to use when filing their tax returns.
Donations are encouraged for two current priority projects — a new playground at Sunset Beach, and renovation of tennis courts plus the addition of a basketball court at Lake Panorama National.
Bids have been received for both projects. To keep the current Sunset Beach playground bid in place, about $29,000 must be raised before the end of December. That is the down payment needed to avoid an estimated five-percent increase in price. The bid for the LPN sports courts is good until April 1, 2015.
The Friends of Lake Panorama board of directors held its 2015 organizational meeting Dec. 2. Kirk Fischer was elected as board president. Tricia Steffen was elected to a second year as vice president, and Jim Spradling was elected to a second year as secretary/treasurer.
It was the last meeting for board members Kent Stephenson and Jodi Sutton, who each completed one-year terms, with Stephenson serving as president. Replacing them on the board are Dave Furbush and Jody Muench. Other board members are Bob McCleeary and Jan Reinicke.
At the meeting, the board discussed the need to make a push for additional donations in 2014 to see if the Sunset Beach playground bid can be kept at its current level. One option discussed was naming the playground after an individual, family or company making a significant donation to this project. Anyone interested in this possibility is asked to contact Susan Thompson at staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.
Besides donations for these two priority projects, donations also have been received for each of six separate funds. These include a general fund, plus funds for Boulder Beach, Shady Beach, Sunset Beach, Panorama West and Lake Panorama National.
Board members said they are pleased LPA members are making donations to recreational areas at Lake Panorama that interest them the most. They will discuss how money donated to these general funds might be used when they meet in March.
Donors of $500 or more are listed on the Friends website here. Where significant projects warrant, such as the Sunset Beach playground and the LPN sports courts, a sign recognizing donors also will be erected near the completed project. Publicity and an annual report will be other ways donors are recognized.
Donations can be made by check or on the website using a credit card. Donations of securities also are welcome, and will be sold once transferred. A securities account has been established with GCSB Investment Center in Panora. Those donating securities are asked to complete and submit a donation form directing how the securities proceeds should be used. The donation form is available here.