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Bethel kicks off capital campaign
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By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter
| 11/10/2009 |
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A $750,000 capital campaign being organized by the Bethel Home Foundation will help cover planned updates to Bethel Lutheran Home's current nursing home facility and retire the balance of the debt for the New Hope Child Care Center that was completed earlier this year. Bethel Administrator Jim Iverson said the Caring Preparing Capital Campaign started two weeks ago with initial pledges being sought from local and area businesses as well as current and past board members. At this time, fund-raising efforts have secured $130,000 in pledges, he said.
"Everything will make the lives of residents better," Iverson said.
Jeff Bloom, chairman of the business and corporate major gifts portion of the campaign, said that fund-raising efforts will continue throughout 2010 and conclude in 2011. Planned renovation work at Bethel Home, however, is due to start in 2010.
"Work will take place during the spring," Iverson said. "The timing of the remodeling is independent of the campaign."
Some of the renovation work planned at Bethel includes construction of a new beauty shop and craft room, a kitchenette area for residents and a connecting room between the nursing home and assisted living areas. Additionally, plans include new floor coverings, sprinkler system installation, updated heating and cooling systems, bathroom upgrades and a new communication and medical records system.
"We're looking at a full renovation of the 48-year-old original nursing home," Bloom said.
Iverson said that part of the campaign goal, $400,000, is for planned renovation work and the balance is to retire the loan on construction of the New Hope Child Care Center.
That facility, Iverson said, is able to serve as many as 44 children at any one time and currently has 46 children enrolled.
"It's a wonderful addition to the community," Bloom said. "I think that's part of what you are seeing Bethel become: fulfilling the needs of the whole community and taking care of all ages."
Of those children enrolled at New Hope, Iverson said, two are children of Bethel employees.
This is the second capital campaign organized by Bethel. The first was held in 1991, which helped Bethel complete its million-dollar addition that took place in 1993.
"We have not had one since," Iverson said.
While the campaign will continue as renovation work gets under way, Bloom said, he is confident the foundation's goal will be met.
"We will raise the money. We have every confidence the city of Madison stands behind the gems in the community, and Bethel Home is definitely a gem on the south end of Egan Avenue. It's truly something Madison can be proud to have in town."
Campaign Co-chairs Tom and Joyce Farrell said they are amazed at the response the campaign has received so far and are confident the goal will be met.
"We are very confident we can meet this goal," Joyce Farrell said. "Bethel is such an important part of the community. It takes in such a huge part."
Bethel Home is a multi-denominational facility locally owned by 13 area congregations.
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