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"The Spirit of Ward Chapel" courtyard, donated by TCHPP, Inc. with funding provided by a Southern Arts Fund grant.
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Dear Friends of TCHPP,
We hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with family and friends!
December is always a busy season, but it's been a particularly productive time for The Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc. Here is a summary of what's been happening this month!
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A WEEKEND FOR VISION AND VOLUNTEERS!
Friday and Saturday, December 9-10, was quite a weekend in Cairo! TCHPP participated in the 4th Annual Lights Parade, sponsored by the Cairo Heritage Foundation, on Friday night. Representing the Project were Board Director Robbin Patterson and husband Bernard, who decorated their car for the parade, and (pictured) Executive Director Tara Kieschnick and her husband Norris.
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TCHPP then hosted two events on Saturday, December 10, attended by local and former residents who all call Cairo "home." The activities kicked off at 4:30 at the Cairo Public Library with a room full of interested citizens to hear about the progress of Ward Chapel AME Church. Board members, such as Director Jay Holder and VP Monica Smith, introduced themselves and shared their heart for the city's historical preservation. TCHPP Board President Don Patton discussed the church's place in Cairo's history after Rev. Ronnie Woods offered a heart-felt prayer over the future of Ward Chapel:
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Rev. Ronnie Woods prayer over Ward Chapel AME Church, December 10, 2022.
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Immediately following the library program, most participants headed over to Washington Avenue for our holiday volunteer reception at the beautiful Magnolia Manor.
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Everyone enjoyed the ambiance of the Manor during the holidays, lit up dramatically against the December sky. After a welcome by Board Director and hostess, Robbin Ramey-Patterson, and remarks by President Don Patton and Director Pete Kaha, guests were asked to introduce themselves and share a bit about their connection to Cairo. All were either previous or current volunteers, or plan to help with next year's Cairo Magnolia Celebration on May 6. The evening ended with a delicious buffet catered by Romello Orr, and excitement for the historical preservation efforts ongoing in our hometown. We appreciate every one of our volunteers that made the effort to attend!
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GRANT AWARD UPDATES
BATES FOUNDATION AWARD
The Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc. is very grateful to have been selected as a 2022 Alben F. Bates and Clara G. Bates Foundation award recipient. For over 70 years, this foundation headquartered in Elmhurst, IL has given funds to non-profit organizations such as TCHPP to help achieve mission goals. The $6600 received this month will be split evenly between three of our project buildings: the Cairo Public Library, the Custom House Museum, and the Magnolia Manor. Special thanks to Bates VP Josephine B. Prasil and Joan C. Bates for helping TCHPP secure this award.
As we mentioned in a previous newsletter, TCHPP, Inc. received a 2022 Southern Arts Fund grant in August in the amount of $3000 from Art Space 304 in Carbondale, IL. With these funds we created "The Spirit of Ward Chapel," a small courtyard on the southern side of the Ward Chapel AME property. This artistic space commemorates the resilient spirit of the original church congregation.
The major elements, including a bench, vase, and memorial stone, were installed on the property this month, with a formal dedication planned for Spring, 2023. Thank you to Director Benjamin Mendez with Art Space 304 for his help in providing these funds.
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AN END-OF-YEAR MESSAGE FROM
BOARD DIRECTOR PETE KAHA
The Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc has experienced great growth this year. We have been blessed by donors who really see our future vision for Cairo's historical treasures. To all those who have donated to our Project this year, THANK YOU!
Still, there is so much more left to accomplish in our quest to preserve Cairo for future generations. We hope more of you decide to donate this coming year, especially on a regular basis, as every little bit helps. Cairo is blessed with a rich history, so please help us preserve the Cairo we all love!
To that end, one of our dedicated supporters recently sent us information about a little-known but easy and smart way to donate. It might be helpful for some of you.
If you have a traditional IRA and you have reached the age of 72 (or 73 beginning in 2023), you already know that you must make Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). But did you know you that you can donate directly to any 501c3 charitable organization with this RMD? You do not have to have a lot of money to have a tax advantage! You can donate a portion of your RMD to The Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc. with pretax dollars which, in turn, will reduce your tax obligation. Plus, this could even reduce your Medicare premium, too!
If interested, check with your tax advisor for clarification, and go to this link for a detailed explanation: https://www.schwabcharitable.org/non-cash-contribution-options/making-qcds
We continue to work on ways to make it as easy as possible for you to give--whether a one-time gift via our website link, or a one-time or monthly donation via Paypal, or by dropping a check in the mail made out to:
The Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc.,
1609 Washington Avenue
Cairo, IL. 62914
On behalf of the entire TCHPP, Inc. board of directors, I wish each of you a happy, prosperous New Year!
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The Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc. exists to help preserve the historic past while also contributing to the present and future of Cairo.
Join our team by sharing this newsletter, connecting with our FB groups, volunteering, attending our events, and/or making a tax-deductible donation of any amount. Rest assured every single designated donation goes directly towards the benefit of our project buildings!
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Even if you no longer live in Cairo, but still CARE and want to help, we have a place for you.
Don't underestimate how your talents and connections might help our beloved hometown, even from a distance!
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DID YOU MISS THE 2022 CELEBRATION?
Join us next year!
Saturday, May 6, 2023
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