DeWitt Referral Center Capital Campaign Update

Hello DeWitt! This is Bridget Miller, Vice President of the DeWitt Referral Center Board. As many of you know we have a capital campaign in progress for our new building. We started this venture in the Fall of 2019 and officially kicked off our campaign at the beginning of 2020. After all, what could possibly go wrong with a year like 2020? (Insert sarcasm here). We had a strong start however as March unfolded, we had to put our campaign on hold, shifting our focus to our growing client list affected by Covid-19.

Although we closed our thrift store, we kept actively serving our clients. Whether it was an emergency food box pick up or delivery or a conversation assuring them we were here, being their advocate through this uncertain time.  We provided over 600 emergency food bags in the first two months, serving more clients than in any other two-month timeframe in our history.

Our phone rang often with a need for help, it also rang often with someone offering to help us. This community responded with food and financial donations that helped sustain our operations. My first glimpse of this was right after we closed the store. As a new client arrived in need of emergency assistance, another community member arrived with food, a monetary donation and volunteered to help that weekend. It gave me goosebumps to see how quickly our prayers were getting answered!

As we helped our most vulnerable clients, we became increasingly aware of how vulnerable our building was- due to lack of space, storage, and accessibility. We weren’t sure what to expect as we re-approached our fundraising efforts, especially considering all the generosity we had already received, but we knew we had to keep moving forward. Just as this community stepped up to help us through covid-19 concerns, we continue to see that same generosity in all aspects of our mission. Our community embracing the capital campaign, ensuring our Thanksgiving meals were fully funded, and adopting every single family in need this year!   

When our team gathered last fall, without knowing what 2020 had in store for us, we set a goal of 75% of our total campaign by the end of 2020. As I write this, our thermometer is sitting exactly at the 75% mark. Our events have been great success stories and private donations continue to come in almost daily. Even in 2020, this community continues to respond, supporting us with volunteer committees, private donors, partnerships with businesses, churches, social clubs, and the list keeps growing. We are moving into our next planning stage and plan to break ground in Spring 2021. In a year that seemed impossible to overcome, we are tracking to be over-achievers. To the outside person this may seem unbelievable but our Director, Michelle Ehlinger, describes it best: “DeWitt takes care of their people. Whenever I have put the word out, this community has responded.” Thank you for believing in our mission and being the heart, hands, and feet in making our vision become a reality.  We are incredibly humbled by your support.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and we thank you for giving us a Happy New Year!

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