Paul Whelan and Jan Pickard are doing more than leading a fundraising campaign, they are also contributors.
Shortly after being named to co-lead the community fundraising effort to purchase a waterfront lot on Front Street in Coupeville, they decided to chip in $100,000 each toward the $400,000 the town needs to purchase a waterfront property on historic Front Street in Coupeville.
“Paul and Karen Whelan and my family are committing $200,000 to help protect this powerful sense of place by securing a community gathering space on Coupeville’s waterfront and we are asking the community to join us in setting aside this open space for public access,” Pickard said.
The Whelans decided to contribute $50,000 upfront they will add another $50,000 when the fundraising effort receives at least 50 additional donations by Dec. 7. Whelan hopes the matching donation will encourage many other people to make smaller donations to the effort.
“If some people have $25 to put forward, we want to encourage that as well,” said Whelan, who co-owns KaPaws Iskreme with his wife Karen.
The fundraising campaign began this month and volunteers have until August 2008 to come up with enough money to allow the town to purchase the lots between Toby’s Tavern and the public deck on Front Street. If the public doesn’t buy the open space, it could become a steakhouse.
The Whelans would like to see the property converted into a community gathering area.
“The addition of a community gathering area on Front Street will enhance the lives not only of all of us who call Coupeville home but also those of the thousands of visitors who come to us each year to see a thriving small town that has maintained its historical character,” Whelan said in a written statement. “We are donating this money because we believe that the proposed community gathering place will serve to enhance the economic vitality, historical character, and the feeling of community that is Coupeville.”
The town had tried in the past to purchase several vacant lots on the waterfront side of Front Street in downtown Coupeville, but hadn’t had any willing sellers.
That changed late last month when the Town Council approved a purchase option for the land which is owned by John Rodriguey through Front Street Holdings.
Volunteers are now actively seeking donations throughout the community. Money raised will only be used to purchase the property. Donations are tax deductible and can be sent to the Town of Coupeville, PO Box 726, Coupeville, WA 98239.
