OVER $1 MILLION – CELEBRATE WITH WAF MAY 6

Stan Hup and Linda Nitz current and past chairpersons of the Waseca Area Foundation (WAF) said at a recent board meeting, “We (the community) really have something to celebrate. We’ve reached over a million dollars in our family of funds.” This exciting news gives the “ Waseca Area Foundation – Celebration 2001” event special meaning. Jim Tippy, chairperson of the event says, “Tickets (about 45) are still available for the event. This is a night you won’t want to miss.” The fundraising event will be held at Farmamerica beginning with a social hour at 4:30 PM including punch, wine, and 3 fabulous Italian hors-d-oeuvres. Then guests will be seated for salad, followed by a sumptuous Italian buffet (including vegetarian and meat entrees) and topped off with a magnificent Italian dessert and coffee. Then a live auction will feature such items as a baseball print signed by Mickey Mantle, a football signed by Alan Page, a Queen for a Day Spa in your home for you and 7 friends (massage, foot wax, delectable morsels, etc), a vacation week at Breezy Point for six (golf included), and much, much, more. But that’s not all - entertainment includes arrival music by Diane Petersen, strolling violinists throughout the dinner, vocal music by Mike Harvey, the Shakespeare play within a play from Midsummer’s Night Dream by Jack William’s students and uplifting vocals by the State Street Quartet. All this for only $50 per ticket ( by calling Pat at 835-5990 or stopping by Waseca Secretarial Service).

Linda Nitz says, “It’s not by accident that we have reached our goal of 1 million dollars. People are beginning to realize the long term benefits of a community foundation. We had contributions in the past year ranging in size from $1 to $100,000. Stan Hup is excited that this year, “WAF will return over $16,000 in grants back to the community.”

According to Pat Abbe, Executive Director, a number of sources contributed to the recent growth in the family of funds. The most significant contribution was the Rutledge Family Challenge. That effort netted the foundation $390,000. Individuals donated $130,000 and Rutledges matched that 2 to 1. Another major source of growth was the establishment of 4 new funds in 2000. These include the Herb Streitz Memorial Band Fund, the Cally Jo Children’s Fund, the Waseca High School Class of 1960 Fund, and the Jane and John King Family Fund. Also, the WAF affiliation with the MN Foundation earned 9% on our investments last year and the 5 year average investment return is 13.8%. Last, but also very important to the growth of the foundation is the increased number of memorials the WAF has received. Abbe said, “This is a very exciting time for the community and the foundation. It’s time to set our next goal. Maybe by 2005 we’ll reach 2.5 million and will be able to grant back to the community in 6 figure numbers of dollars. Then the community dreams of cornerstone projects can begin to come true.”