Dear Contributor/Sponsor,

          It is with great joy that I thank you for sharing in the community vision of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, it’s parish council, families across the area and  their youth.  

 

          Iron Mountain and the surrounding countryside is filled with hard working, loving individuals like yourself, that are anxious to make a difference and create a safe haven for children.  This is likewise the goal of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church.  

          Over 5 years ago, the Church purchased  property on Pine Mountain Road with the intent of building a church facility and recreational center for youth .  After careful planning and evaluation we believed that there was no greater way to serve the community than to use our limited resources in cooperation with other loving people of the region.  

           SAY soccer is a national non-profit organization that currently has an enrollment of over 2000 children in the region.  It gives children the opportunity to play organized sports on a “semi-competitive” level while stressing integrity, team building, cooperation, honesty and hard work.  It provides a safe and clean environment for kids and parents.  These are very similar to the goals of most any Church.  

                       Therefore, a common vision and goal was realized between the

       Church leaders and local SAY soccer leaders.  

       The end result was a beautiful example of cooperation between the non-profit groups.  The goal of both of these groups is united……to bless the community with the best facility in the north-woods.   This fellowship of parents, coaches, organizers, and Church leaders has resulted in a partnership that communities across the nation can take note of.    This group of concerned people believed that our community was capable of uniting to  build a quality facility that would be an example of what communities can do when they band together.

 

              Our goal was to build a facility that would be used by the whole of the community while maintaining the ownership integrity of the church property .  The Church leaders agreed that any church building projects would come second to the needs of the Iron Mountain community and the result was a signed agreement between SAY soccer,  and the Church.    This agreement is available for anyone who is interested.

            In this agreement the Church will retain ownership, management and control of the property and all assets on the property.  At the same time, the Church will provide the much needed vision,  management, and coordination of the facility.    This was pleasing to the soccer associations, who have no intention to own or manage property yet desperately need new facilities.

           We have asked for no federal funds, no government help, and no state funding to build this facility.  Yet, we have received the outpouring of everyday people, businesses, and support from all areas of the community.  

            Parents, youth, teachers, local business owners, church leaders, corporations and concerned citizens have donated untold time, energy and support making this one of the most wonderful projects that we have ever participated in.

          We are honored for the support of our project and glad to have you join our team of everyday people making the impossible possible.  Thank you again for your support and may God be with us as we complete our project for this community.

 

Thank you for your support,

Fr. Mark Hagan  (St. Mary’s Orthodox Church Priest)

Louis Cini (St. Mary’s Orthodox Church Council President)

Richard Abraham ( Project  Fundraising Coordinator)

Bucky Gussert  ( SAY soccer representative)

Tom Sullivan  (Local soccer Organizer)