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Posted Jan. 8, 2008
Door Campaign Off to Promising Unofficial Start
With just a quick preview of the condition of the main door at Harbor of
Refuge Lighthouse in their most recent newsletter, members of the Delaware
River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation have begun responding to the need
for funds to replace the door.
Over the Christmas holiday, the Foundation received the first
donations, amounting to more than $1,500 -- a promising start to an effort
that hopes to raise money to finance the door project.
The
door and frame are so rusted they're breaking apart!
Hinges are so far gone it takes a strong man to open the door!
The latch is in such bad shape we fear an easy break-in!
Replacing
the entire door and surrounding iron framework is now a TOP PRIORITY in
order to insure the security and continued use of the lighthouse!
The
project is no easy task. It
will require a custom fabricated iron door and frame, extensive on-site
torch cutting for removal of the old frame and welding for installation of
a new one, skilled metal workers and a work boat with a heavy duty crane.
In
2008, the Foundation will launch an extensive fund-raising drive to
generate grants and private contributions to pay for this absolutely
necessary work.
All
donors to the Foundation’s Door Campaign will receive a handsome
certificate featuring the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse and an old time
keeper coming through the original lighthouse door.
The certificate will acknowledge the donor or whomever the donor
designates to be honored.
The
person on the certificate will also be listed along with all other donors
on the Foundation’s website www.delawarebaylights.org
during
the campaign and on a plaque inside the lighthouse once the project is
completed.
Donors
will also receive an acknowledgement letter to document the contribution
for tax purposes.
The
Foundation’s initial fundraising goal for the 2008 Door Campaign is
$12,000. However, the
total cost of the project may well exceed that amount when the cost of
ship time is included.
At
this time, the Foundation is looking for qualified metal fabricators
interested in undertaking the project and investigating options for
obtaining a work boat.
In
addition to financial contributions, suggestions and in kind contributions
of labor, materials, and work ship time would be most welcome.
Contact
the DRBLHF at P.O. Box 708, Lewes, DE 19958 or call the answering service
at 302-644-7046.
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