Third Annual Appeal Builds on the Accomplishments of Years One and Two!
Dear TCA Members,
2008-2009 marked our Second Annual Appeal. As you might recall, one of our members (who wishes to remain anonymous) agreed to donate an additional $5,000 IF we were able to raise $10,000 from the membership. Well, I’m happy to report that we exceeded our goal and did receive our $5,000 in additional monies. It’s great to see that our membership did rise to the challenge!
These efforts are necessary if we are to improve member benefits and fund the many needs of our National Toy Train Museum and Toy Train Reference Library not covered under our general budget. To each of you who made a contribution toward our 2008-2009 Annual Appeal, we sincerely thank you. You make it an honor to serve TCA.
In 2010, we are excited to launch our Third Annual Appeal which comes with another exciting challenge. This time, our anonymous member has asked us to raise $25,000 from our membership and he will again, donate an additional $5,000! This would mean a total of $30,000 raised from our Annual Appeal! With almost 30,000 members to help, this is very realistic.
A $5,000 donation will be made by one member when the
2009-2010 Annual Appeal reaches $25,000!!!!
We’ve accomplished so much this past year. We now have much-needed new software for Accounting and the Store; and the library now offers two new computer stations complete with scanners where visitors can enjoy limited access to our TCA websites. In addition, we are very proud that 2,000 library records are now posted on-line where our members, no matter where they are, may seek information about the hobby and even specific toy trains or manufacturers. If you haven’t seen it, please do take a look and enjoy. You may find it at our TCA members site – www.tcamembers.org and click on “Member Services” and then “TCA Library”. Find the link that says “Search Library Records”. Click on that, and folks -- prepare to be amazed! These were huge endeavors and ones that will directly enhance TCA’s ability to better serve you, our membership.
Today, as the TCA deals with a tough economy, and the looming huge expense of a new sewage disposal system for the museum, our needs are even greater and our budget is even tighter. We need to get the rest of our wonderful Library on-line, but we’ve got a long way to go. We need to film a tour of the museum which our divisions and chapters could use for recruiting purposes. We’d love to add a Garden Railway outside which would not only give us another showcase for our G-Gauge Collection, but would give visitors another reason to visit. Our list goes on and on.
In late August, WB&A Chapter President, Art Tate, wrote to his constituents and asked each of them to contribute at least $10 to help the TCA during these tough times. He told his own story of why he joined and how much joy and fun he had gotten from his membership. He asked each member to “extend a helping hand to put the national representative of our magnificent pastime back on a sound financial footing.” I think he summed it up best with, “It is time to give something back to an old friend.”
Our 2010 General Appeal is off and running and we have again had an anonymous $5000 member challenge. Like Art Tate, we ask each of you to think about why you joined the TCA and what you have personally received from that membership. We are committed to preserving this pastime and sharing this special hobby with future generations, and we ask for your support.
Every donation will help us meet the $5,000 challenge. We CAN do it!
Sincerely,
Richard B. (Clem) Clement Ronald A. Stowell Christopher G. Allen
Current President President Elect Past President
P.S. Remember, your donation can be tax deductible AND help meet the challenge.
Click here to print and mail the Annual Fund Drive form. |
