CLEVELAND METROPARKS RECEIVES RECORD DONATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

JUNE 29, 2010

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

BOB ROTATORI or PAULETTE WELCH

216-635-3200, EXT. 3263 or EXT. 3205

 

Cleveland Metroparks Executive Director-Secretary Brian M.
Zimmerman recently announced at the June 17 Board of Park
Commissioners meeting that the Park District  received

$1.7 million from the estate of Dorothea Jean Hassler. The gift
is designated for the "preservation and beautification"
of Rocky River Reservation and Big Met Golf Course. 

 

Hassler's gift represents the largest contribution ever from an
individual donor in the 93-year history of Cleveland
Metroparks.

 

A lifelong resident of the Cleveland area, Hassler enjoyed walking
trails throughout Rocky River Reservation, as well as golfing at
Big Met Golf Course. Her gift was placed in the Emerald Necklace
Endowment Fund and will generate future revenue for Big Met Golf
Course and Rocky River Reservation.

 

"This donation is a transformational gift for the endowment
fund and a testimony to the role Cleveland Metroparks played in Ms.
Hassler's life, as well as the importance of accessible green space
in northeast Ohio," said Zimmerman.

 

Cleveland Metroparks established the Emerald Necklace Endowment
Fund within the Cleveland Foundation in 2001 to preserve and
protect the Park District for years to come. Donations to the
Emerald Necklace Endowment Fun remain in the fund and generate
income to benefit all aspects of Cleveland Metroparks.

 

"Knowing people like Ms. Hassler are aware of the Emerald
Necklace Endowment Fund is truly inspiring," noted Karen
Kannenberg, CFRE, manager of gift and donor development.

 

Approximately $4.8 million has been committed to the Emerald
Necklace Endowment Fund through a combination of cash contributions
and planned gifts. The goal of Cleveland Metroparks is to
significantly grow the Endowment Fund looking towards the 100th
anniversary of the Park District in 2017.

 

For more information on making a gift to Cleveland Metroparks,
contact Kannenberg at 216-635-3217 or
kjk@clevelandmetroparks.com.

 

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