Donations adding up quickly for ‘The Vault’ youth center project

Posted 4/26/17

Donations adding up quickly for ‘The Vault’ youth center project

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Donations adding up quickly for ‘The Vault’ youth center project

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SPECIAL TO THE CLINTON JOURNAL

CLINTON —  The fundraising effort for a youth community center gained significant momentum recently with an anchor donation of $25,000 and a pledge match challenge from The Warner Foundation. Three local banks accepted the challenge and pledged $86,000, of which The Warner Foundation will contribute another $25,000.

The Vault Community Center is the vision of local resident and parent, Michelle Witzke. Witzke has long advocated a youth center in Clinton for students not involved in school activities. The concept gained momentum in late 2016 as a result of several loosely connected events. The timing of locating a potential site for the youth/community center, a burgeoning opiate abuse crisis (which resulted in its own grass roots community action), the state budget stalemate, which resulted in significant cuts with the local Human Resource Center, and the potential of local economic devastation relating to the impending closing of Exelon’s Clinton Power Plant, which ultimately did not occur, contributed to support of Witzke’s plan, according to Witzke.

By late January 2017, The Vault Community Center had formed a three-member board and an 11-member steering committee, including the junior and senior high principals, mobilized two dozen volunteer teens and received its nonprofit 501(C)3 status and $22,000 in pledges.

Encouraged by a $10,000 donation from First Christian Church of Clinton, The Vault had an original goal of raising $65,000 by May 2017 in order to make a bid for an unoccupied building on the north side of Clinton’s downtown square. As of April 10, the organization had $165,000 pledged or given, and The Warner Foundation is partly responsible for the accelerated result. On March 22, John Warner IV, on behalf of The Warner Foundation, pledged $25,000, and committed to match another $25,000 lump sum donation. 

“The Warner Foundation supports education and opportunities of positive character formation for youth and young adults.  We believe that The Vault represents a much-needed opportunity for our county and the young people who live here.  Supporting our youth is an investment in everyone’s future.  We encourage others to pitch in with additional catalyzing gifts,” Warner said. 

The following week three local banks met or exceeded that challenge, DeWitt Savings Bank ($36,000), the First National Bank & Trust ($25,000), and State Bank of Lincoln ($25,000). First National Bank & Trust additionally offered financial and business guidance and resource and a bank employee, Shannon Furman, to collaborate with The Vault’s steering committee.

First National Bank & Trust Vice President, Josh Shofner, said his bank “is excited to partner with The Vault and share their vision of a safe and healthy environment for the youth of our communities.  Our organizations share many similar values and believe investments in our youth are investments in our future.”

Justin Fentress, President DeWitt Savings Bank, shared that “The Vault is a great opportunity for the teens of our community to socialize and learn life skills in a safe environment.  We are happy to help support The Vault financially and hope others will join us in the betterment of our community.”

Lance White, Assistant Vice President,  State Bank of Lincoln, asserted that it is “happy to support this project for our community and for the youth here!  It is great to see the preparation, prayers, and hard work put into this by Michelle and the other volunteers becoming more than a dream, but something that will be a positive influence in Clinton.  It looks like great things are going to happen and we are proud to be a part of it.” 

A Premier Donors’ Pyramid recognizing donations of $500 or more will adorn the center of a planned donor appreciation wall. In addition, there will be special recognition for those who give at least $10,000 by Labor Day 2017. 

“The goal is to fill 11 more of these exclusive spots where they will forever be recognized as the most courageous donors who took the greatest risk to ignite positive change for the community,” Witzke said 

On April 21, Jimmy John’s in Clinton hosted the first of 12 planned fundraisers in 2017, donating 50 percent of all proceeds to The Vault Community Center.  Jimmy John’s broke its single day sales record after three hours and would have doubled that record had it not run out of bread. 

Randy Martin, owner of the Clinton franchise, posted a note inside the restaurant stating that, due to exceptional community support, “we are going to donate our entire sales ($5,833.99) for yesterday rather than the 50 percent that was agreed upon.” 

Tax deductible donations can be made to “The Vault Community Center” at 5721 Country Meadow Lane, Clinton, IL 61727. A receipt will then be mailed back for the donation.

To learn more, email  thevaultclinton@gmail.com or call/text 309-212-7332.  Also, learn more about The Vault by going to its Facebook page: @thevaultclinton. 

Submitted story