{"id":12784,"date":"2024-07-04T15:37:20","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T15:37:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=12784"},"modified":"2024-07-04T15:37:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T15:37:20","slug":"toledo-urban-to-partner-with-fdca-for-fundraising-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2024\/07\/04\/toledo-urban-to-partner-with-fdca-for-fundraising-drive\/","title":{"rendered":"Toledo Urban to Partner with FDCA for Fundraising Drive"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Collecting the first donations – TUFCU’s Suzette Cowell, UT’s Valerie Walston, Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson, FDCA’s ED Reggie Williams, FDCA’s Treasurer Laticia Holmes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Fletcher Word<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe Truth Editor<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

During a press conference on Friday, June 28, Suzette Cowell, CEO of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, and Reggie Williams, executive director of the Frederick Douglass Community Association, announced that the two organizations will be collaborating for a capital fundraising campaign to assist the FDCA with its community-based programming.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a marvelous opportunity to do this capital \u00a0fundraising campaign,\u201d said Williams. \u201cFirst and foremost, it\u2019s about creating opportunities for our youth to still have a safe place to thrive and grow. We are especially excited for this fundraising campaign that Suzette Cowell and the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union have decided to hold on behalf of the Doug.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will enable us to have a greater reach in our community and to meet the needs of the whole family,\u201d he added expressing his appreciation for Cowell and her decision to initiate the drive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so excited,\u201d said Cowell. \u201cI was here the other day and a young man was here and wanted to go to the gym \u2013 that\u2019s when I found out [what happens] if we all come together. It\u2019s so important for youth to be able to come to this place and the programs that will help them keep busy throughout the summer and after school as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the FDCA has been able to raise funds in recent years for capital improvements, this latest effort, organized and led by the TUFCU, will go to programs and operational needs, said Laticia Holmes, the FDCA treasurer.<\/p>\n

The plan for the campaign is to encourage community members to donate $20 per week for 52 weeks \u2013 the goal is to raise a total of $500,000 within that year\u2019s time. Williams noted that church\u2019s and other nonprofit as well as profit companies to encourage their members to participate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI challenge the citizens of Toledo to make a difference,\u201d said Toledo City Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson. McPherson emphasized that the good the FDCA does is \u201csustainable\u201d with help from community. She also praised the partnership between the TUFCU and FDCA as a model for accomplishing things in the community.<\/p>\n

This is not the first time the FDCA has reached out to the community to assist in a capital fundraising drive. Back in 1922, said Albert Earl, FDCA board chair, the Doug needed to move into a new building and held a drive to raise $200,000. That drive proved to be successful, as he hopes this one will be also.<\/p>\n

Donations can be made at either branch of the TUFCU \u2013 Dorr or Monroe street \u2013 at FDCA itself. A cash App will be set up and more information can be found at www.thedoug419.org.<\/p>\n