Lake Chelan Community Center nears goal of community challenge matching grant

The Lake Chelan Community Center, 103 Bighorn Way in Chelan, is nearing the half-way mark in meeting a two-million dollar matching grant in support of the facility and programs for youth to seniors.

"A little under $900,000 (raised), and we're getting closer and closer," community center Director Maribel Cruz reported on Wednesday. "We have until the end of the year and we just continue to push forward and encourage people, if they feel called to, to really help us to maximize this opportunity."

If the matching grant is met, it becomes $4 million, on top of the $4 million already given by the donor.

"Every dollar, dollar-for-dollar, gets matched, up to $2 million," Cruz noted, in mentioning that affordable monthly donations can be made. "It really helps to stabilize us."

The monies are used to assist the community center in paying off costs to build the center, the cost of building a gymnasium, and eventually toward a performing arts center on site.

Artist rendering of the Lake Chelan Community Center, complete with gymnasium and performing arts facility.

A portion of what's been donated so far includes $6,265 given during the KOZI Gratitude Monday radio campaign this week.

Its also been youth giving to their peers and other patrons of the community center.

"The Real Life Church Youth Group has been raising money, collectively donated over $3,000," Cruz reported. "These are kids who could have spent it in any number of places."

The giving by our community doesn't stop there. "We've got a giving tree up right now for the Christmas season, and I just had a little boy come in with his mom to pull a tag. It just warmed my heart," proclaimed Cruz. "He just said I'm going to give a gift to give to somebody else."

The community center provides programs to all ages through a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Snohomish County.

If you're interested in donating or would like to learn more about the Lake Chelan Community Center, you can do so here.

Read more about the community center "stories" of support here.