» Meissner Fundraising Campaign

In 2005, TLC initiated a grassroots fundraising campaign to fund the grooming operation and capital projects proposed for Meissner Sno-Park. Our goal is to raise $200,000 by the spring of 2006. As of December 15, the Fundraising Committee had raised $80,000. We are asking donors to make a three-year pledge. Our strategy is to meet with individuals and businesses on a one-on-one basis. The Fundraising Committee has been overwhelmed by the positive response of donors. They have been very generous with their gifts.

The primary members of the Fundraising Committee include Jeanne Wadsworth (TLC board member), Eric Alexander, Tom Carroll and Tim Gibbons. The members of the committee have over 120 years of combined ski experience in Bend and Central Oregon, an in-depth knowledge of people in the community and a deep understanding of the Meissner Project. In addition, we have the expertise and advice of the most experienced fundraiser in Bend, Eric Alexander.

Funds donated to Tumalo Langlauf Club will support - primarily:

1. Fund the grooming operation for the next three years. Yearly grooming expense is estimated at $17,000.

2. Pay for the environmental assessment. Estimated cost is $20,000.
   a. Pay for construction of new trails
   b. Pay for expansion of the parking area
   c. Pay for construction of lighted trails
   d. Construct a warming shelter

3. Fund capital projects to the area

4. Provide compensation for the Project Consultant

Budget cuts have all but eliminated resources for recreation projects within the U.S. Forest Service. Thus, all of the developments TLC proposes for the community ski area at Meissner Sno-Park must be paid entirely by the club. This includes the environmental assessment and capital projects (trails, parking area, lights and warming building). It is our plan to use volunteer help to construct new trails and install lights. We are fortunate to have a club with many members who wish to donate their time, expertise and equipment for volunteer projects. The construction of the Pole Barn in two and a half days last December was a good example of this volunteer effort. In a building that cost $10,600 to construct, nearly $4,200 was donated in labor and materials. Over 20 different people worked on it over two and a half days.

It is our goal to use monies from the fundraising campaign in order to leverage more money for the two most expensive capital projects: enlarging the parking area and constructing a warming building. Use of matching grants is one way of leveraging more money. In addition, we have identified four grant sources that fit well with our proposed developments and have a good chance of being funded.

We expect to complete the environmental assessment in the spring of 2007. Our priority projects are the construction of new ski trails and enlarging the parking area and we hope to begin those projects in the summer of 2007.

USE OF FUNDS

We will work diligently to use your gifts wisely. We will seek out bids on the capital projects, ask for in-kind gifts from the construction industry and use volunteer help where appropriate. Your gift is very important to us and we will use it prudently.

Membership dues support:

• Club operations
• Social Activities
• Newsletter

Donations Support:

• Meissner trail grooming operations

Meissner Development Funds supports:

• Meissner trail grooming operations
• Cost of environmental assessment
• Pay for capital projects: new trail construction and expanded parking area, lighted trails, and warming shelter
• Provide compensation for Meissner Project Consultant

MAKING A GIFT

If you are interested in making a three-year gift to the fundraising campaign, please contact one of the Fundraising Committee members below:

Tom Carroll 385-7981
Tim Gibbons 317-0226
Jeanne Wadsworth 617-8821