Breaking News!
July 17, 2003
The following announcement was distributed to the Friends mailing list on July 17, 2003:
We received great news on Tuesday: the Ann Arbor Parks Advisory Commission
was very receptive to our suggestion that Dicken Woods be purchased by the
City as parkland. The next step is for the PAC to discuss the purchase
price with the property owner, the Diocese of Lansing. This wonderful
success is a tribute to the organization and unity that the Friends of
Dicken Woods have shown over the past few months.
Everyone needs to understand that the City's interest is contingent on
Friends of Dicken Woods living up to our commitment to contribute at least
$50,000 toward the purchase or maintenance of the property. The good news
is that this process has gone far more quickly than we dared to hope; the
more challenging news is that means that we have a relatively short time
(approximately two months) to do some very serious fundraising. In other
words, we have a window of opportunity here in which we CAN make the
preservation of Dicken Woods a reality, but this will require us to dig into
our pockets.
Let's lay out the facts to help people understand what must be done to
finalize the purchase (assuming, of course, that the City and the Diocese
reach agreement on the price and other terms):
Friends of Dicken Woods is now incorporated as a nonprofit and has applied
for tax exempt status, has elected officers (including a Treasurer) and has
established an account at a local bank from which we can accept and disburse
money. We have a couple thousand dollars in the account from proceeds of the
garage sale (net reimbursements for expenses such as the yard signs and the
environmental assessment), and we have already received pledges for
approximately half of the money needed from a hard core of supporters.
These neighbors have pledged $1000 - $5000 apiece. We hope that more people
will consider contributions of this scale, because the purchase by the City
is NOT a done deal. It will fall through if the neighborhood does not vote
with its wallets to support the land acquisition, and we'll be back to
fighting developers (with a lot less credibility as an organization if we
can't put real money on the line).
Of course we realize that such contributions are impractical for many
families, but let's do some math: There are approximately 250 families in
the Dicken neigborhood; an average donation of $100 per family will put us
over the top and make the preservation of the woods a reality. Consider the
benefits that your family will experience once this land is preserved as a
natural area and made more accessible for community enjoyment, and decide
whether a contribution in this range is within your budget.
We have also organized a fundraising benefit concert at the Ark on August 21
featuring several excellent and well-known local performers. We can
realistically raise $5000 - $7000 if we can sell most of the 400 tickets
available for this concert at $20. We need FDW members to buy tickets, sell
tickets, and encourage people to attend!
Or perhaps you have other ideas that would help raise a good chunk of money
in a couple of months. Perhaps you can explain what we're doing to some
neighbors who are not on our email list but would reap the benefits of a
public park or nature area in the neighborhood. Perhaps you know of a local
business or a charitably-inclined individual who can help? Or maybe Bill
Gates owes you a favor and might be persuaded to contribute a couple of
seconds worth of his income to the cause (grin). Be creative!
In short, we need one more jolt of energy to solidify the great successes of
the efforts to date. Please help! Make a pledge, buy some tickets, sell
tickets to your co-workers ... but please don't let this marvelous
opportunity to Save Dicken Woods expire.
Chances like this are rare indeed. You can help leave a wonderful legacy
for our neighborhood, for the entire city, and for the school children of
Dicken Elementary. To arrange your tax deductible donation, please do any
of the following:
- use the on-line pledge form on the website (http://dickenwoods.org)
- or email info@dickenwoods.org
- or call Erik Stalhandske, President of the Friends at 769-1498
- or Deb Norbotten, Treasurer, at 663-3190.
Contribution checks can be made out to "Friends of Dicken Woods" and mailed or taken to Deb at 2304 Kent, Ann Arbor, 48103.
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