Countdown: St. Michael’s goal now down to $202,000

The funding deadline is March 15 — just days away

By Ruth Luse
   The goal now is $202,000.
   That’s quite an accomplishment for the D&R Greenway Land Trust, considering that a month ago the organization needed $1,500,000 in private donations to help fund the preservation of the 337-acre St. Michael’s property just outside of Hopewell Borough.
   The funding deadline is March 15 — just days away.
   Progress toward meeting the goal has been steady since early February.
   Three weeks ago, the D&R Greenway needed only $500,000. That was because the Willard T.C. Johnson Foundation made a promise to donate $1 million — if $500,000 more could be raised by the deadline.
   As of last week, the goal was down to $330,000, thanks to the Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space, which has committed $100,000, and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, which has committed $50,000.
   "As with the $1,000,000 commitment from the Willard T.C. Johnson Foundation, these donations will be made available only to close the gap and complete the $11 million public-private funding package needed to acquire the land," Jo-Ann C. Munoz, director of communications for the D&R Greenway Land Trust, noted.
   Ms. Munoz had more good news Monday.
   "D&R Greenway is delighted to announce that we received a $100,000 contribution from an anonymous private donor in support of the St. Michael’s Preservation Project," said Ms. Munoz. "D&R Greenway Land Trust has raised $2,798,000 in private funds and, with 15 days (from today, March 1) to go until our contract with the Diocese expires, we still need to raise $202,000 to complete the $11 million purchase price."
   And citizens of the Hopewell Valley area can help by attending or participating in several events planned for the benefit of the St. Michael’s preservation project. A list of these can be found in the HELP SAVE ST. MICHAEL’S TRACT (www.hopewellvalleynews.com).
   "By attending one or more, you can help make a difference in preserving this environmentally significant and historic farmland and open space," said Ms. Munoz.
   To make a direct donation, send a check, payable to D&R Greenway Land Trust, to One Preservation Place, Princeton, 08540. Donations may be made by using Visa or MasterCard or by calling D&R Greenway at 924-4646.