Dear Friend of the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center,

As we approach the end of 2024, we want to update you on the challenges we’ve faced at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center and share how your support is crucial to our work in the community.

This past summer, we encountered significant setbacks when both Fête de Marquette and the Willy Street Fair—our two primary fundraising events—were severely affected by unpredictable heavy rain, lightning, wind and hail. And while we are thrilled to note that in real time, we were empowered to implement our evacuation plan and safely move 1000’s off the grounds, losing tens of thousands in projected revenues was not the outcome we were hoping for.

And lest one thinks staging outdoor events is too risky an endeavor for us to count on in support of our mission, I can inform you that we keep meticulous records at the Center and last July’s Saturday shutdown was the first ever experienced in Fete’s 17 years and only the 2nd time in 30 years at the Fair. I guess it was, unfortunately, our turn.

Despite these setbacks, our commitment to the community remains unwavering as we were able to maintain a full compliment of valued programs and services. However, the financial impact of these weather disruptions is real. As we move into the final weeks of 2024, we are reaching out for your support to ensure Wil-Mar can continue its essential work without interruption.

Your donation will directly support the programs and services that are vital to the people of our community: after-school child care, summer camps, teen employment programs, emergency food services (soup kitchen, food pantry, and overstock), and more. In addition, your support helps provide low-cost community space for educational, fitness, and support activities that benefit thousands each year.

Click here for a 2024 program and service report for your review.

The financial strain of this year’s setbacks makes your gift more important than ever. We are asking for your help to ensure that Wil-Mar can begin 2025 with a strong foundation, ready to meet the needs of the community.

To make your tax-deductible gift, please click here.

On behalf of the Wil-Mar Center’s board of directors, staff, and volunteers, thank you for your ongoing support. We wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and prosperous 2025.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kallas
Executive Director

On behalf of the Wil-Mar Center’s Board of Directors, Staff, & Volunteers