Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Save the Date! Celebrate Committee 150 on 6/28/07

Dear Fellow Committee 150 Member:

It’s hard to believe that one year ago this month, Committee 150 was just an idea.

St. Joseph’s is one of Albany’s great landmarks. The building defines the neighborhood in which it stands, and its steeple, completed in 1906, is the most visible element in Albany’s northern skyline. Still, a few years ago, St. Joseph’s future was uncertain.

In May, 2006, you pledged your support to an all-volunteer group that set out to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of St. Joseph’s Church by raising $150,000. Committee 150 took up the challenge issued in 2002 by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which awarded a $300,000 matching grant to the building’s owner, Historic Albany Foundation, to stabilize St. Joseph’s, which at that time was in danger of collapse.

Thanks to you, Committee 150 has raised over $96,000. This has been matched – 50¢ on the dollar – by a generous leadership grant from Mrs. Candace King Weir, bringing the total raised to date to $144,000. With a few more parties scheduled for this spring, we are confident that we will meet our goal!

Throughout the past year, people have contributed their time, talent and treasure to ensure that the spires of the former St. Joseph’s Church continue to stand tall over Albany’s north end. From a Splashdown for St. Joe’s on the Albany Aquaduck, to an old-fashioned neighborhood picnic – from a raffle to a “virtual tour” of the church – Committee 150 members have raised funds one party at a time, and had fun doing it!

To thank you for your support, we’d like to invite you to join us as an honored guest at a Celebration of Committee 150 on Thursday, June 28, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Park.

We hope you’ll save the date, join us as we celebrate a job well done, and view the results of the stabilization effort. (We’ll send a reminder as the date draws near.)

Thank you again for helping to make Committee 150 a great success!

Sincerely,
The Committee 150 Steering Committee

PS: Please make plans to attend the 8th Annual Albany History Fair on Sunday, May 6, from noon – 4 p.m. at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center. Committee 150 will be honored with a “Sense of Place” award for our grassroots effort to save St. Joseph’s Church. Every one of over 1,100 people who supported this campaign also contributed to Albany’s sense of place, and we’re delighted that the entire group will be recognized with this award!

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