PRESERVATION FUND

                Every year beginning with the Feast of St. Louis we usually launch our Annual Fund Drive which runs to the end of the year. This past year it was decided that since we participated in the Upon This Rock initiative, the Annual Fund Drive would be suspended.

                Some parishioners were unable, due to personal circumstances, to be involved in the five year commitment required by the Upon This Rock endeavor but were still interested in continuing to support the ongoing projects of St. Louis. In response to their requests we decided to re-name the Fund Drive to the “St. Louis Preservation Fund.”

                St. Louis raised over $1.3 million for the Upon This Rock campaign. The proceeds due to St. Louis will be sizable and we should be getting our first portion from Upon This Rock shortly. Our goal is to use these funds to make the church hall handicapped accessible by enclosing the handicapped ramp, adding a lift and new bathroom for better access to the church hall. Preliminary work has already begun on this project.

                In the past the Annual Fund Drive has been used for various improvements to St. Louis allowing us to continue with our mission for years to come. For example, this summer and fall we were able to replace our aging organ console with a brand new one. This was made possible by a previous Annual Fund Drive.

                Because of the overwhelming generosity of the St. Louis Community, the Preservation Fund raised $35,855 as of this past week.

                Along with our major projects, there are still other minor projects that need attention. The Preservation Fund will ensure that we will be able to address the ongoing projects that help maintain our Gothic Grandeur.

                Whether you chose to support St. Louis through the Upon this Rock program or the St. Louis Preservation Fund, I want to thank you for your generous support to St. Louis and helping us to maintain a vibrant presence in Downtown Buffalo.