God bless you, Boone.
A pair of gifts totaling $4 million pushed the Salvation Army Kroc Center's fundraising drive past its goal Wednesday and qualified the project for $67.8 million from the estate of McDonald's heiress Joan Kroc.
"We can claim victory for our campaign," said Wyck Knox, a member of the fundraising cabinet for the project, which -- including a permanent operating endowment -- will represent a $97.8 million investment.
The gifts announced at a luncheon Wednesday include $2 million from the Woodruff Foundation and $2 million from a donor Mr. Knox characterized as "a special friend of the Salvation Army of Augusta" who has chosen to remain anonymous.
The committee, led by banker-philanthropist Boone Knox, launched an aggressive campaign this year to raise $20 million to qualify for the larger sum from the Kroc trustees.
With the gifts, the campaign total is $22,073,953.
Salvation Army officials and others thanked Boone Knox with the announcement Wednesday that the Kroc Center's tower -- the project's signature architectural feature -- will be named in his honor.
"We knew it would take just the right person to make this a success," said Salvation Army Capt. Todd Mason. "Boone Knox has supported many campaigns, but this is the first one he decided to chair."
Boone Knox's leadership, he added, helped make it possible to complete the fundraising campaign six months ahead of schedule, despite a downturn in the economy.
The 85,000-square-foot Kroc Center will include an aquatics center, classrooms, a 400-seat theater, a 270-seat banquet hall with a stage for a dinner theater, rehearsal areas and many other features.
One unique amenity, that is being used as a model for Kroc Centers in other cities, will be a "First Stop Center" in a separate building from the main complex, where as many as 20 organizations will help assess and steer families to programs that can help them.
During the luncheon, Salvation Army Maj. William Mockabee, the group's Georgia divisional commander, thanked dozens of volunteers, fundraising committee members and staffers who helped make the effort a success.
"We will be worthy of the trust you have placed in us," he said. "We will guard it with every fiber of our being."
Organizers have screened six firms that might eventually be involved in building the complex, which will occupy 17 acres in the Chafee Park area of Harrisburg. Groundbreaking could occur early next year, possibly in February.
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
THE MONEY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
The total investment, including the permanent operating endowment, for the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Harrisburg's Chafee Park area is $97.8 million.
- The Ray & Joan Kroc estate is providing $33.9 million for land acquisition and construction costs and $33.9 million for a permanent operating endowment, for a total gift of $67.8 million.
- To qualify for that gift, Augusta's project needed to raise $30 million locally, which includes a $10 million credit given by the foundation to the local Salvation Army for its existing programs and facilities.
- Two gifts announced Wednesday -- $2 million from the Woodruff Foundation and $2 million from a donor who requested anonymity -- helped the campaign more than meet its goal, clearing the way for a formal groundbreaking soon.
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING HISTORY
October 2009: Kroc Center just $2.6 million away from goal
Sept. 2009: Kroc Center nears $20 million funding goal
Sept. 2009: Commissioners approve Kroc Center grant
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
God bless you, Boone.
Got to be one big positive move. Thanks to all. Former Augusta resident.
This is just the latest instance of the Knox family's positive impact on Augusta and this area. This will be a tremendous legacy for Boone and should inspire the rest of us to do more for the less fortunate in our community.
Congratulations all, especially Derek Dugan who kept me in the loop from start to finish. This will be a great thing for Harrisburg!! Get behind the Chronic Nuisance Property Ordinance so that Kroc will have a great neighborhood to reside in. We can't wait!!
Lori Davis
It is good to once again see the cream come to the Top. The Knox, Boardman, Hull, Caye and many more made this happen -- but it would not have been possible without the many citizens of our great city that every day does what is right by Augusta. It is true; A City Is Know By The People It Keeps. Congratulations to everyone.
We shall see if the Kroc center displaces the Harrisburg criminal element. Drug houses can only be promptly closed down with a Chronic Nuisance Property Ordinance.
The sad news is if the democrat/socialist party continues to influence the rather ignorant (uninformed) masses in this country then men and women who have built centers like this from PROFITS from a CAPITALISTIC society will cease to exist.. The class warfare & demonizing of those who have been a financial success by these pathetic yet evil democrat socialists political leaders in this country is a chapter taken right out of the Bolsheviks revolution in Russia that led to the formation of the USSR.. ( i will bet you 75% of current high school students COULD NOT EVEN TELL YOU WHAT THE USSR WAS OR HOW MANY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IT S LEADERS MASSACRED) if these democrat/socialist have their way all of the "comrades" of this once great society will pitifully, weakly, & without any sense of dignity go hat in hand to their "comrade leaders" like speaker pelosi, feet of clay reid & of course the America hating obama for their daily rations, shelter, HEALTH CARE & marching orders...What a pathetic situation...but for these great men and women who have shared their prosperity with their community...THANK YOU!!
LCC0256 perhaps you could enlighten us as to why the Bolsheviks revolted? I disagree with your percentage and think less than 5% could tell you what the USSR stands for. It is almost as bad as Boehner standing at a platform holding a copy of the Constitution aloft and citing the words of the emancipation Proclamation. What was even worse was the show of appreciation for his error by the crowd.
Well it has been almost 30 minutes and no CON has posted comments about my note at 4:44. I am waiting.
The track record of displacement for Kroc Centers is well established. You can expect the area to rid itself of the pesky drug lords in a short period of time.
Ridding this neighborhood of "pesky drug lords" can't happen soon enough for those of us who have to live near them. Kudos to ALL who have, and will help make this a reality.
Oh by the way dissman...it was the Declaration of Independence, not the Emancipation Proclamation.
Thanks to Boone Knox, the donors and volunteers. It sounds like this will be a wonderful facility for the less fortunate.
Boone, your Father Pete would be very proud of you.
Thanks to everyone for the great comments! Remember, this is Augusta's Kroc Center with something for everyone - not a facility for the less fortunate. It is our Centennial Park, a with concerts on the canal, performances in the theater. It is a place to take arts classes, learn instruments, photography, cooking classes in the teaching kitchen, a senior lounge and more. Look up the program guide at the San Diego Kroc Center (www.kroccenter.org) to see everything that will happen at this center of activity for Augusta! Thanks to everyone for making this happen!
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