Contact:
Robin Reid, Communications Director
Madison Community Foundation
608-232-1763
rreid@madisoncommunityfoundation.org
http://www.madisoncommuintyfoundation.org
After more than thirty years in the planning stages, the Lake Belle View restoration project recently received a big boost with a $150,000 gift from the Francois Family Foundation.
The Lake Belle View restoration project is a $4 million initiative to restore the ecology and recreational elements of the waterway in Belleville, Wisconsin. Madison Community Foundation is facilitating the campaign. $2.8 million has already been raised through tax dollars, grants and private contributions. At the Annual Belleville Community Picnic August 6, community leaders launched a campaign to raise the remaining $1.2 million, which will be used for park improvements, additional dredging, a kayak run and footbridge.
Rick Francois, Chair of the fundraising effort and representing the Francois family, announced a gift of $150,000 at a committee meeting. “We’re really happy to have the opportunity to make this gift,” said Francois, “My family has been in this community for 150 years and the Lake has been such an integral part of our lives. We knew we wanted to make this commitment.”
The Lake Belle View campaign is currently in a major gifts phase and will broaden to the entire community by the end of the year. “We hope our friends and neighbors will join us in the campaign,” continued Francois, “This plan has been 30 years in the making and it’s time to take action. This restoration will open a lot of new opportunities for Belleville. We will have more recreational alternatives, a healthier ecosystem and possibilities for new economic development. My family couldn’t be happier to be part of it.”
Donors will have the opportunity to pledge gifts over three years. The committee is hoping to have the campaign completed by the Belleville Community Picnic next August. For more information: http://www.lakebelleview.com.”
