By Sue Moore
The Vicksburg Vision Quest has rolled its fundraising into high gear. It is seeking to match a $170,000 donation from the Vicksburg Foundation for the Trail program in the next 30 days, according to Kathleen Hoyle, Downtown Development (DDA) director.
“We have raised over 30 percent of the ambitious goal of $2.7 million and now are needing to make sure we can put all of the Vicksburg Foundation dollars to work to build the trail and other projects. They have been very generous so we don’t want to let this opportunity go by without making a total effort by the end of August,” she said.
A Vicksburg Vision Thermometer has been unveiled in Oswalt Park with the likeness of Village Manager Ken Schippers on it as he climbs the ladder to get to the $2.7 million goal. Right now it shows him at $900,000, so opportunities to pledge abound, Hoyle remarked.
The first phase of the trail is in the process of completion at the corner of North Street and Richardson where the new Trailhead is being built. The old car wash has been torn down, the concrete poured, the parking area graded with landscaping soon to be planted. All that is left is a celebratory ribbon cutting. That’s on Friday, August 26 at 11 a.m.
In the meantime, names for a donor board for recognition are being compiled. To be included on the donor board, donations must be received in the Village office or paid for online at VicksburgMI.org by August 12, in time for the ribbon cutting. A Double your Money kickoff to match the Foundation grant is being offered to local businesses for an employee donation program. Hoyle is now meeting with area companies to offer the ability to contribute to the campaign for their employees through payroll deductions and other direct giving opportunities. To further the community’s insight into how the DDA operates, an Annual Meeting Open House has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 9 at the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be snacks available and reporting from individuals and businesses on the progress being made by the DDA with its many programs to improve the look and feel of the business district.