Fort Fundraising gets major financial boosts
(Left to right) Cindy Standorf, director with the George Family Foundation; Roy George, director with the George Family Foundation; Mike Wallace, Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation director; Kelsey Kleven; and Penny Remz, director with the George Family Foundation, were present for the check presentation on Sept. 9 for the Fort Fun remodel. (Photos by Steve Van Kooten)
(Left to right) Prairie du Chien Parks and Recreation Director Mike Wallace and Drew Hager, owner of The Barn Restaurant, meet for a check presentation on Sept. 9. The Barn has hosted two events for the Fort Fundraising campaign, contributing more than $6,000.
Remodel fundraiser sees more than a quarter of million in contributions
By Steve Van Kooten
Prairie du Chien's Fort Fun park has been waiting for an overhaul, and this past week, fundraising for the park's remodel received two significant boosts.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the City of Prairie du Chien's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Mike Wallace accepted a $3,000 check from The Barn Restaurant and a $250,000 contribution from the George Family Foundation (GFF). The remodel campaign has now accrued approximately $270,000.
"We've got a good hospital system, we've got a good school system, so let's bring something that's going to enhance the city of Prairie du Chien to live and work," said Drew Hager, owner of The Barn.
The Barn has hosted two fundraising events for Fort Fun: a Servers' Night this past spring and a pasta dinner in July.
In total, the restaurant has helped raise more than $6,000 for the project.
"Small businesses are getting involved, and this is going to be really good for the city," said Hager.
Wallace said the Fort Fun Committee didn't know what to expect from the fundraising events, but they have received "tons of support from the community," and The Barn has been "great to work with."
The Barn contributes to multiple fundraisers each year, and Hager said Fort Fun aligns with their interest in improving Prairie du Chien.
"People are wanting this project," he said. "I see people coming out, writing out checks for more money, and throwing more into the pot for this."
Later that day, Wallace and Kelsey Kleven, a member of the Fort Fun Committee, met with members of the GFF for a check presentation at the playground.
Kleven, who volunteers her time to work on grants for the project, said grant acquisition is difficult because many foundations and other contributors are not giving money out.
"I had explained to them the challenges that [are involved with] grant writing right now. A lot of the answers I'm getting from bigger or less local foundations are, ‘We don't know when we're going to start funding again,’" she said.
Since its inception in 1996, the GFF has donated to more than 50 projects that demonstrated a "vision and plan for the future" and provided a benefit to Prairie du Chien and the surrounding area.
Past projects include the construction of the public library, the city's dog park equipment and starting blocks for the Charles Wacouta Aquatic Park.
According to Cindy Standorf, a GFF director, the original Fort Fun project was one of the foundation's first contributions. Their donation to the remodel, in a way, brings their community-improvement efforts full circle.
For Kleven, the "inclusive" element of Fort Fun is one of its most important features, and the remodel gives the city a chance to create an environment that gives everyone a chance to fully utilize it.
"Providing an inclusive space means that all families should be able to enjoy Fort Fun, and as it is, they can't," she said. "There will still be climbing and things like that, but it will provide a space where there is opportunity for people to all play together."
Wallace noted that the committee plans to hold a Masquerade Ball fundraiser for the playground at Hoffman Hall in early November.
