Investing in a Healthy Future Campaign

Charles and Sharon Olson Chapel Rendering

Bethesda is pleased to announce that construction of the new Town Center and Chapel renovation project commenced on Monday, February 26, 2018.

The effort to build the new Town Center and Chapel at Bethesda got a big boost with the announcement of a $350,000 Challenge Grant. The grant, sponsored by six families who asked to remain anonymous, means that all new pledges or contributions to Bethesda, if made between now and June 30, 2018, will be matched dollar for dollar.

This project will enrich the lives of our senior population through access to destinations on the Bethesda campus; places to go, people to see and things to do. Destinations include a chapel, café, gift shop, children’s play area, enrichment room, walking trail, family gathering spaces and more!

The initial phasing of renovation will consist of constructing destinations that include the Norling Café and Bistro, the Willmar Area Community Foundation Bistro Station, gift shop, children’s play area, life enrichment/educational areas and a fireside lounge. These destination areas will replace the existing main dining room and are expected to be complete by June 2018.

The renovations will then phase into the second set of destinations in July 2018 that will include the Charles and Sharon Olson Chapel and Reflection Garden, the Bill Linder Walking Trail, the Luella and Marvin Behm Welcome Center, resident/family gathering spaces and meeting areas. These destination areas will replace the existing activity room, meditation room and gift shop. The entire project is expected to take between 12 and 18 months for completion.

Bethesda would like to acknowledge and thank the generous donors who have already given $2.3 million to help make this project a reality. As Bethesda enters the final stretch of raising funds for the Town Center and Chapel, your support is still needed to reach the $3.3 million goal.

“These challenge grant funds are an absolutely marvelous show of support for this project and an exciting opportunity for people to double the value of their contributions,” shared campaign co-chair Ken Behm. “The Foundation-Donor partnership shows the confidence they have in this project and what it means to the community.”

“We are so grateful for these families who have generously offered Bethesda a Challenge Grant, meaning that every dollar, up to $350,000, donated to the Town Center and Chapel project will make double the impact, stated Stefanie Ryan, Foundation Director. All new donations and pledges through June 30, 2018 will qualify for these matching challenge funds.

“With this match, we can raise the final million dollars needed for this great project,” Behm continued. “There’s urgency to ‘donate today’ before the challenge grant expires at the end of June. We can’t let this opportunity slip by.”

Contact Stefanie, Bethesda Foundation Director at [email protected] or 320-214-5600 to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of our seniors.

Renovation project partners include: