Seeding the Future Capital Campaign

Inviting you to help make a difference ...
There is an energetic spirit and tenacity of purpose which makes Lagrange Development Corporation different. Through the years, LDC has remained true to its mission and takes pride in its commitment to providing quality services and programs. We are proud of what we do here each and every day and believe it should continue - but even better than before.

A campaign was launched in 2004 to build a community center for the Lagrange neighborhood. Michael Hill, vice president/general manager of Pepsi Americas, and Chief Michael Bell, director of Fire & Rescue Operations for the City of Toledo, representing community leaders, and Joe Zychowicz, representing the Lagrange neighborhood, are serving as chairmen of the LDC capital campaign: Seeding The Future.

LDC purchased a lot at 2700 Elm Street, had an existing building demolished, and hired an architect who produced plans for a 12,000 square foot facility at a cost of $1 million. The building is designed so that the 6,000 square foot lower level can be leased to provide funding for continued maintenance and upkeep of the community center.

Building the community center will allow LDC to offer programs and services that promote and enhance the development of neighborhood children and adults by instilling a sense of pride, usefulness, and belonging. LDC will continue to expand already existing services, such as: individual, family and group counseling; vocational counseling and job placement; intervention services; parenting programs, and GED assistance, along with housing the Weed & Seed crime prevention program and providing space for complementing social services offices. In addition, the community center will host recreational programs in the gym and provide meeting rooms for use by community groups.

As of December 1, 2004, $158,500 has been recognized in cash and pledges with over $500,000 pending in grant requests and solicitations. Gift confirmation has been received from The Stranahan Foundation, Columbia Gas, Fifth Third Bank, Key Bank, The Blade, Pepsi Americas, and Libbey Glass, as well as gifts of general donations and the purchase of bricks from Lagrange neighborhood residents.

A functional community center plays a vital role in any broad neighborhood revitalization effort. Successful community development organizations, like LDC, provide a comprehensive strategy that combines all types of private, public, and governmental agencies working together to effect positive changes. If you would like to contribute to these efforts or buy a brick, call the LDC office at 419.255.8406. Together we will seed and develop a better future for the Lagrange neighborhood, its people and Toledo.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.