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Matching Funds Aid Pilgrim Pines in Tax Challenge
SWANZEY, NH (June 4, 2003) - Pilgrim Pines Conference Center Executive Director
Bob DeJong stated that a recent matching grant initiative has raised
$25,000 from East Coast Conference churches.
About 30 congregations participated in the effort, which was matched by the
East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. About $80,000 has
come in overall during the matching grant program, said DeJong. Pilgrim
Pines had received a loan of $340,000 from the conference to help pay off
more than $500,000 owed to the town of Swanzey in back taxes, beginning in
1996. The conference center has paid the conference back $225,000 with the
help of conference churches and individuals.
An estate gift of $42,000 through a parishioner at Bethlehem Covenant
Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, was integral in helping pay off a
significant portion of the loan. The church tithed the estate gift to the
conference center.
"We had hoped for the match and a little more," said DeJong. "It was a
great response. Even little churches with 30-40 members came up with funds
through creative means. It makes a statement that they believe in what's
going on."
Pilgrim Pines is currently paying about $90,000 in taxes to the town of
Swanzey annually. The center, which is represented by the East Coast
Conference, is appealing the back taxes at the County Superior Court level
and DeJong hopes the case will be overturned in Pilgrim Pines' favor this
fall. In the meantime, the conference center is pursuing entities outside
of the Covenant, including church and parachurch organizations, in order
to get more use out of the facility, bolster its financial base and further
its spiritual Kingdom building.
For more information on Pilgrim Pines, call DeJong at 603-352-0443 or visit
the Pilgrim Pines web site at www.pilgrimpines.org.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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