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COLUMBINE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES $50,000 CHALLENGE GRANT
March 31, 2006
LITTLETON, CO –
The Columbine Memorial Committee
announced today that the Raccoon Creek Golf Course has issued a
challenge grant to assist with fundraising for the Columbine Memorial.
The Raccoon Creek Golf Course has pledged up to $50,000 as a
matching grant toward construction of the Columbine Memorial.
The Golf Course and its staff have also volunteered to help
solicit additional contributions to the project. The pledge
commits to a contribution of up to $50,000 to be paid by
December 31, 2006 provided matching grants or pledges are secured.
Bob Easton, Chairman of the Memorial Committee said, “We
are excited and pleased about this pledge. We are actively
seeking individuals or corporations willing to step forward
and match the amount pledged, and we are very optimistic
that someone will agree to meet that challenge.”
Don Allen, spokesman for Raccoon Creek and the Grant family
said the challenge grant is designed to help the Memorial
Committee meet their funding goals and complete the project
as planned. Allen said, “We have close family and business
ties to this community and we are pleased to be able to help
with this project.” One of the victims at Columbine, Corey
DePooter, was employed at the Raccoon Creek Golf Course.
Raccoon Creek is also working with Hazel Miller, the popular
jazz singer, and Foothills Park & Recreation District to present
a benefit concert at Clement Park this summer to raise funds for
the Columbine Memorial; the date and other details are still being finalized.
If the $50,000 pledged is matched, funding for the Memorial
will reach a total of $1,155,000 leaving only $345,000 to be
raised to complete the project. Recent community efforts
including sales of Columbine pins, a golf tournament scheduled
for May 8, and sales of paper Columbines have sparked renewed
interest in the memorial project. A formal groundbreaking is now
scheduled for April 29, 2006……..seven years after the April 1999 shootings.
The Memorial is intended to inspire thoughts of remembrance,
reflection and healing. Donations can be made through the website,
and more information about the Memorial can be found at
www.columbinememorial.org.
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