From the Heart of a Grateful Community
When I look back over the past few years—the vision meetings, the fundraising milestones, the construction challenges, and the countless community conversations—it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. The Lake Chelan Community Center has grown from a dream sketched on paper to a 44,000-square-foot reality that’s already changing lives.
And then, just a couple of months ago, something truly transformational happened. A local family stepped forward with a $4 million gift—one that not only completes our long-awaited gymnasium and performing arts center, but also gives us the momentum and confidence to look toward the future with fresh energy and faith.
Their generosity left us all humbled. Half of the pledge came immediately, with the remainder to follow, and the family added a challenge to our entire valley: a $2 million community match. If we meet it, we’ll effectively raise $4 million more by year’s end—funds that will strengthen operations, pay down debt, and help create even more opportunities for connection, recreation, and wellness.
This isn’t just a financial milestone; it’s a spiritual and emotional one. I remember standing with our board when the news came through. We all knew this gift would do more than build walls—it would build hope. As one of our founding board members, Kyle Plew, said that day, “The timing is perfect. It feels like an answer to prayers.”
The donor family’s message to us was simple yet profound: “Helping people connect with one another and explore faith in God is more important than ever.” Those words capture exactly what we’ve always believed this place could be.
Their gift also gives us something precious—flexibility. Because it’s a direct contribution, we avoid costly restrictions tied to certain grants. That means every dollar can go where it’s needed most—into programs, spaces, and experiences that help our community thrive.
For me personally, this moment is about gratitude. Gratitude for the faith and vision of our donors. Gratitude for every person who believed in this project when it was nothing more than an idea. And gratitude for the community that continues to rally around us as we work to meet the matching challenge.
This story isn’t just about a $4 million gift—it’s about what happens when a community comes together and decides to invest in its own future.
We’re building more than a center. We’re building connection.
If you’d like to join us in completing this remarkable chapter, visit our fudnraising page or reach out to Maribel Cruz at maribel@chelancommunity.org. Every dollar given between now and the end of the year will be matched—doubling your impact and helping us finish strong.