Volume 95 Number 47
ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T Benevolence
Czech Heritage Museum: only a few days left to meet Challenge Grant The
Czech Heritage Museum (formerly known as the SPJST Library, Archives and Museum LAM) is at a crucial time in its fundraising efforts, and it needs your help! In 2006, the CHM was offered a challenge grant by a local foundation. The terms of the grant are that if the Museum is able to raise $400,000 by December 31, 2007, the foundation will match it with another $200,000. This amount will allow the CHM to restore the Louis and Oleta Hanus Building to be used as a museum and library. “Through the generosity of many individuals, lodges, foundations, and the City of Temple, we have raised a little over $381,000, and only have $19,000 to go,” CHM Executive Director Sandi Wicker said. “The problem is that we have only one
Czech Heritage Museum Challenge Grant
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Humanity
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November 28, 2007
ISSN —07458800
month to raise the $19,000, or we will lose the challenge grant.” In 2000, it was decided at the SPJST Convention that the SPJST LAM would become an entity separate from SPJST so that it could seek IRS 501(c)3 status and become a non-profit organization. This would allow the newly formed LAM board to accept tax-deductible donations and for it to seek a location more available to tourists, researchers and students. A year later, with a generous donation from Louis and Oleta Hanus, the LAM Board of Directors was able to purchase the historic Northside Community Business Center building which has 7,200 square foot and is adjacent to the SPJST Home Office in Temple. “An architect was hired to design a museum space within the Hanus Building and to give us an estimate of the cost of remodeling—the cost will be about $600,000,” Mrs. Wicker said. “If all of the goals are met in time, we should be able to begin construction at the first of 2008 and will be able to move into the building by June or July.” “In 2006, the name was changed to the Czech Heritage Museum to better reflect the mission of the LAM,” Mrs. Wicker stated. The future location for the Czech Heritage Museum is on the corner of two major streets (Third Street and French Avenue) in the Temple Historic Commercial District and is one block away from the Historic Homes District. “It is very visible to the public and has ample parking to allow for buses to bring children to the museum for educational programs,” Mrs. Wicker stated. “Currently, the museum is only open during SPJST business hours and the move will allow us to be open on (Please see Museum on page 12.)
Celebrate the Season!
SPJST Holiday Open House
Monday, December 3, 2007
SPJST Home Office 520 North Main Street O Temple, Texas
Following the Temple Christmas Parade Come by and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus Special holiday performance by Miss Texas Czech-Slovak Marianne Beran SPJST State Royalty
King Colby Havemann • Queen Lindsey Jones Duke Laramie Cass • Duchess Kellie Ihlenfeldt State Royalty are members of SPJST Lodge 17, New Tabor
Enjoy these special attractions! Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides Temple High School Polyfoniks Temple Fire Department Dalmatians Living SPJST Museum Displays Czech Christmas Stories Children’s Activities Refreshments
More Holiday Open House information on page 2. I n s i d e
District Three collects food donations Page 6 Lodge 88 honors veterans Page 10
Family Fun Dates .......................3 Interest Rates .............................3 Top 10 Agents.............................3 Financial Statement ...................4 Lodge Letters .............................4
Lodge 92 activities Page 10 Lodge 17 youth is a big fan Page 16
CHM Donors .............................12 Youth .........................................16 In Memoriam .............................19 Czech Culture ...........................20 Activities Calendar...................22