Capital drive

launched by

Oak Hills

Expansion of 16 assisted-living units set

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- While intermittent rain forced some changes, it didn't dampen the enthusiasm surrounding the launching of the "Building Toward the Future" capital fund drive and groundbreaking for adding 16 assisted-living units at the Oak Hills Living Center Sunday afternoon.

Administrator Carli Lindemann explained the reasons for launching a capital drive to raise $300,000 at the same time that ground is being broken for the addition.

"The $1.2 million HUD grant we received won't cover all the costs of building the addition," she explained. "We've found we're about $230,000 over budget so the foundation board decided we needed a fund-raising effort."

The board decided that the small chapel/community room would be unable to serve the needs of the additional 16 residents, Lindemann said. "We also felt that there should be seed money to establish an endowment fund for providing items that can help our residents.

"The campaign is really about providing dignity for our residents," she said.

Mary Ellen Domeier, one of several co-chairs of the capital campaign, said, "Normally, foundation boards wouldn't be involved in capital campaigns, but with the establishment of an endowment fund, it was a perfect opportunity to be involved with this campaign. We're confident the community will respond as it did in the past when $600,000 was raised."

Domeier said that although the capital campaign was officially being launched Sunday, nearly $50,000 has already been raised from those associated with Oak Hills Living Center.

"Our goal is to have the campaign finished by Thanksgiving or the end of November at the latest," Domeier noted.

Harold Fenske, who with his wife Betty is a co-chair, answered the question of why now.

"Some have asked that with the campaigns currently being conducted in New Ulm, why not do this another time?" he said. "The HUD grant has deadlines attached to it; so that's why we're doing it right now. Also, it's important to the future of Oak Hills. When Betty and I look back on our years on the board, we're impressed with the progress that has been made. Oak Hills is alive and well."

Co-chair Jane Seifert followed with the prediction "the community will respond enthusiastically. History will repeat itself, and the campaign will be successful."

Lindemann reminded the group the groundbreaking didn't mean construction would begin tomorrow.

"There's still lots of paperwork yet to be completed."