Support for the Kroc Center is an admirable cause and one I support. Columbia County made a noble contribution. But isn't the stipulation from the Kroc Foundation that local matching funds can't come from government? Am I wrong about that?
Columbia County commissioners on Tuesday approved a grant to help The Salvation Army build an Augusta community center.
The $25,000 grant will aid in the construction of the Kroc Center on 17 acres off Broad Street in the Harrisburg neighborhood.
Featuring facilities for arts, aquatics and recreation, the community service center was made possible with a $67.8 million grant from the Joan B. Kroc Foundation.
However, the community must raise $20 million to qualify for the Kroc endowment.
As of last week, more than $17 million had been raised through local sources, according to an e-mail from Derek Dugan, the Kroc Center coordinator for The Salvation Army.
Commission Chairman Ron Cross said last week that he and other commissioners chose to approve the grant because The Salvation Army operates as a regional organization.
County officials first discussed the grant about three months ago, but it was listed as a consent item on Tuesday's agenda.
The commission regularly approves grants for other Augusta groups, such as Fort Discovery and the CSRA Alliance. However, the Kroc Center grant is a one-time gift from the commission, Mr. Cross said.
The Martinez Evans Little League also received a gift from commissioners to improve its playing fields.
Using recreation discretionary funds from the 2006-10 1-cent sales tax, the commission approved a $52,360 grant to the group for such items as sidewalk construction, a playground and protective netting over the stands at its home field, Crawford Creek Baseball Park, which is a county-owned park leased by the Little League.
Little League officials asked for an additional $12,120 for operational expenses, but sales tax funds can be used only for capital improvements.
Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 115, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING HISTORY
June 2009: Kroc gains funds
June 2009: National's giving tops $3.4 million
May 2009: Fundraising effort exceeds $10 million
March 2009: Harrisburg makeover will precede building
January 2009: Land purchased; funds needed
September 2008: Kroc Center to get $7.8 million more
May 2008: Funding effort to kick off locally
March 2008: Plan for complex moving forward
Comments
Support for the Kroc Center is an admirable cause and one I support. Columbia County made a noble contribution. But isn't the stipulation from the Kroc Foundation that local matching funds can't come from government? Am I wrong about that?
With the economy downtown, it would be better to have the $25,000 support emergency shelter beds for homeless families and victims of domestic violence in the county or homeless prevention assistance for the multitude of families about to be put out of their homes due to loss of employment and cutbacks. Meeting basic essential needs should be the focus of commissioners, of all supportive groups, with their gifts at this time. Just think how many beds could be provided for county residents with that money???
OK,, here we go again, the local governments need to do something to help with the recreational opportunities in the area. But don't spend any money to do it. Just twitch your nose.
They won't give money to Child Enrichment, Inc, which provides forensic interviews and counseling services to Columbia County abused children because it's a "charity," but it will give thousands to a place that hasn't even been built yet? What is going on here?
I stand corrected. State and local government can donate. Here is one article where the Indiana state goverment gave $2 million to South Bend for a Kroc Center donation. http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/53253862.html
Hi - Kroc Center Coordinator here. Just wanted to answer some questions. First, yes - the Kroc Campaign can accept donations from governments - but they must be free from any conditions or obligations. They must be outright gifts, as this is.
It is also very important to note that with the Kroc challenge gift, the $25,000 gift from Columbia County will result in $84,750 for the project. All gifts are leveraged by the Kroc estate to a 1/3.39 ratio, meaning every dollar donated becomes $3.39. Also, know is means we will never go to anyone in the community again for a gift for the Kroc Center (regular Salvation Army programs such as the shelter and soup kitchen are not funded by Kroc).
Thanks for everyone's interest and if you have any questions, please put them up here. I'll be glad to answer!
Derek
Hi - Salvation Army Supporter here. Relocate the "What A Burger" to the Kroc Center lobby. "You cannot share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a man who's stomach is growling louder that your voice".
Neither is the Ministry of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the World or the church on Gardner St. Obviously the KROC fund was not "keen on Jesus", feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. Social education and organization might ring a "bell" for the KROC Center.
Compassion for the hungry,needy, the poor and the LOST has taken on a new meaning is this "upside down world". We should have known when GWB wanted the federal government to "join hands with religion".
Deekster-
You sound very familiar with the work of the Salvation Army. Joan Kroc was very interested in expanding the programs of The Salvation Army that are less publicized but complete the "whole person." In Augusta, The Salvation Army has scouting programs, music lessons, camps and adult education programming among many others that are lesser-known. All of which will be tremendously expanded by the Kroc Center. In essence, the Salvation Army's most public programs take care of the base needs to lift those out of poverty. The programs in the Kroc Center will give them the tools to stay out of poverty. All of which will be conducted in a Christian center. The Kroc's were very "keen on Jesus" and smartly saw the bigger picture to enhance all of the programs of the Salvation Army church.
The Kroc Center will change more lives for the better than anyone can possibly imagine. Its location will be a major step in bringing back an area of Augusta that many thought was lost forever.It will make a profound difference as it invests in children that desperately need love, attention, and direction. This will be GREAT!
As one with over fifty years of history with The Salvation Army, I sincerely hope and pray that "lives will be changed" as a result of the center. Upon first hearing of the center, I was filled with anticipation for a new church, dorm/lodge, kitchen/dining room, free clinic, drug/alcohol rehab and clothing shop. Needless to say, these images of The Salvation Army "outreach" will not be present. Only lives that receive "a new heart" can be permantly changed. March On!!!!
**** FREE KROC CENTER BUMPER STICKERS*** Many of your favorite locations are starting to pass out bumper stickers. Please support our center by putting a sticker on your car or place of business~!
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