Friday, June 7, 2002
Construction for the expansion could begin in 2003.
HOWLAND -- Children's Rehabilitation Center has nearly reached its goal of raising $1.5 million for a planned building expansion.
On Thursday, officials announced that about $600,000 has been pledged to the campaign, dubbed "Project Love," since it was publicly launched March 22.
Children's Rehabilitation Center board members promised to donate $700,000 before the public fund drive began, officials said.
Reaction
"Our progress in the past several weeks has been gratifying because it demonstrates that people in our community really do care about the future of children who are clients of Children's Rehabilitation Center," said Steve Lewis, project co-chair.
The center, initially created by the Warren and Niles Rotary Clubs and concerned citizens, offers physical, speach and occupational therapy to disabled children, regardless of their family's ability to pay.
The funds sought in the current campaign will allow the center to double the size of the building it has occupied on Howland Wilson Road since 1957, said Dominic Mancini, spokesman for the project.
Officials hope to begin construction in 2003, he said.
Over the past several weeks, volunteers for the center have been contacting potential donors and offering them tours of the facility.
Since the fund drive has gone public, the center has recieved four donations of $50,000, nine donations of $25,000, seven donations of $10,000 and 17 of $5,000.