18 Feb 2012 Bethlehem House announces major gifts for capital campaign
A new home for Conway’s Bethlehem House, a transitional shelter for homeless families and individuals, is one step closer to reality.
Two new grants and a lead corporate gift were announced recently to kick off the public phase of the Home for the Homeless capital campaign to raise $1.3 million. The new shelter will serve Faulkner County’s more than 200 homeless men, women and families.
The announcement was made by Bethlehem staff and volunteers, including ex- ecutive director Judi Lively, board chairman Mike Ford and Johnny Adams, chairman of the capital campaign steering committee.
Conway Corporation, which operates the city-owned electric, water, wastewater, cable internet and cable television utility services, has provided the lead gift of $250,000. Conway Corporation is a not- for-profit organization that has been part of the Conway community since 1929.
“Conway Corporation didn’t hesitate when we asked them to help us,” Lively said.
“They are committed to this commu- nity and to helping all of our residents, including those who need shelter. With this major gift, they are helping to encourage other Conway businesses and organizations to join the effort and build a beautiful, safe home for the homeless.”
The J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation Inc., a Delaware non-profit corpora- tion, has provided a matching grant of $230,000. The Mabee Foundation was formed in 1948 by John E. Mabee and his wife, Lottie E. Mabee, with its office in Tulsa.
The Windgate Charitable Foundation, based in Siloam Springs, supports pro- grams focused on strengthening families, while also serving children. The Wind- gate matching grant is for $200,000.
Bethlehem House must reach its goal of raising $1.3 million over the next year in order to receive both of the matching grants, Lively said.
“We are extremely thankful to the Mabee and Windgate foundations for their generous donations,” she said. “These grants are key in helping us kick off this important capital campaign that will give the homeless of Conway safe shelter.”
The 100-year-old Victorian house on Faulkner Street that has housed the Bethlehem House mission since it began in 1991 is in desperate need of immea- surable costly repairs.
The planned 7,200-square-foot facility will allow Bethlehem House to serve 35 residents in one location and up to eight people in emergency situations — a much-needed resource that doesn’t exist in Faulkner, Perry or Conway counties.
