Koinonia has been a leader in nurturing the gifts of community with each other and the earth. The Hearts on Fire capital campaign for Koinonia will ensure that the quality programs, services and facilities of Koinonia are maintained and nurtured for the future. For more than 40 years Koinonia has welcomed individuals, families, children and groups to caring service, peacefulness in pristine wilderness, recreation on trails and lakes, joy in worship and a renewed experience of community.
It’s been 25 years since our last major expansion. Our financial situation is stronger than ever, and our board and staff are committed and excited. With your help, Koinonia will continue to be a retreat and stimulus for the greater church, our children and ourselves for the future.
Hearts on Fire Project Priorities There are three funding components to the capital campaign: Expansion, Infrastructure upgrades and Outreach Fund.
Expansion projects account for 60% of the campaign goal and include
Kairos Center addition and upgrades
Good Earth Center for youth dining and program services
Youth camp showers and toilets
Signage and hospitality upgrades
Electrical service in campground and cabin area
Additional duplex cabin to be completed on reaching the stretch goal of $1.4million
Infrastructure upgrades account for 30% of the campaign goal and include
Repairs and service to chimneys
New appliances in Conference Center
Updated safety, septic, electrical and fire suppression systems
Upgraded handicapped accessibility
Improvements to beach and bridges
Improvements to emergency roads
Maintenance equipment and vehicles
Outreach accounts for 10% of the campaign goal and includes scholarship awards to low income children and families to participate in Koinonia programs.
Goal $1.2 million with a stretch goal of $1.4
In February 2006, the representatives in attendance at the Martin Luther Camp Corporation annual meeting unanimously approved a resolution to conduct the campaign and to begin construction on new projects as funds are received.
Three-year pledges are welcome and may be fulfilled through 2010 on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis.
Leadership Gifts The first gifts will be sought and received from leadership donors at the level of $5000 and above. With Leadership gifts of $7,500 or more come opportunities for naming and memorials. The Leadership gift effort anticipates raising $700,000 toward the campaign goal.
Congregational efforts Volunteers are working now with Koinonia congregations to plan and conduct campaigns. Each congregation will be guided through a simple three step process to 1) set a goal, 2) build awareness, and 3) conduct a successful appeal. The Congregational effort anticipates raising $300,000 toward the total campaign goal.
General Appeal In response to the successful David and Goliath appeal to eliminate long-term debt, hundreds of friends and affiliates of Koinonia contributed more than $600,000. From 2006 through 2008, the Hearts on Fire campaign will seek gifts from alumni, friends, and guests to make contributions at any time. The general effort anticipates $400,000 toward the campaign goal.
Gifts at $1000 increments will be recognized on a Hearts on Fire display in the Kairos Conference Center.
for information on how you can get involved with Hearts On Fire!
Koinonia Leadership
Board of Directors Mr. Steve Dormer, President, Upper Saddle River, NJ
Ms. Carole Helvig, Vice President, Patterson, NY
Mr. Jesse Mygland, Secretary, Sound Beach, NY
Mr. Bill Vogel, Treasurer, West Hempstead, NY
Rev. Robert Wollenburg, Bishop’s Representative, New York, NY
Rev. Carol Fryer, New York, NY
Mr. Bruce Heitman, Ramsey, NJ
Rev. Jonathan Hopkins, Valley Stream, NY
Rev. Paul Johnsen, Glen Head, NY
Mr. Paul Meberg, Pleasantville, NY
Ms. Darlene Midlang, North Branch, NY
Ms. Ruth Nybro, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
Mr. Bill Seifert, Hopewell, NJ
Mr. Walter Wagner, Baldwin, NY
Rev. Paul Milholland, St. John’s Lutheran, Lindenhurst, NY
John Heidgerd, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Mt. Kisco, NY
Capital Campaign Steering Committee
Ms. Ruth Nybro, Chair
Mr. Russ Hansen, Edison, NJ
Ms. Kim Kearns, Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Mr. Robert Knudsen, Mountain Lakes, NJ
Mr. David Langton, Ardsley, NY
Mr. Steve Lee, Highland Lake, NY
Ms. Darlene Midlang, North Branch, NY
Ms. Lisa Spitler, Highland Lake, NY
Executive Staff
Mr. Steve Lee, Executive Director
Ms. Lisa Spitler, Associate Executive Director
Ms. Catherine Novak, Development Assistant
Key Volunteers
Mr. Chuck Helvig, Congregational Effort
Ms. Carole Helvig, Congregational Effort
Ms. Sue Vorstadt, Staff Alumni Effort
Hearts on Fire Project Priorities
