On October 1st the community of Stanton will kick off one of the biggest projects ever in the history of Stanton. The Community and Stanton Friends will assemble together for a night of food, entertainment, and the revealing of plans for the ALL NEW VIKING CENTER. Stanton Friends will host a website going live October 1st, 2008 at www.stantonfriends.org. The plans are to carry this event live via the internet starting at 5:30pm cst. We encourage you to log on that evening and in the future to follow the progress of this project.

Last fall and winter a group of over one hundred citizens started addressing some challenges and some concerns that were facing our community. With the recommendation of our Mayor and the Stanton Vision Committee, a group of citizens began holding meetings to address these challenges that our entire community faces. These challenges include the size of our existing daycare that has one hundred and forty kids enrolled. the location of our preschool, the need to expand and modernize our library, our need for a wellness center for the entire community to use, a place to hold after school programs such as mentoring programs, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Kids Club, and a gym for youth and adults. A steering committee was brought together and Stanton Friends was formed. Stanton Friends includes representatives from many groups and organizations in Stanton as well as an age range of community members having different needs and wants. The Steering Committee has met on a regular basis since March of 2008 and has formed several sub-committees to handle the task ahead of us.

Stanton Friends has studied over fifteen community projects built all over Southwest Iowa and beyond. We have formed partnerships with City of Stanton, Child Resource Center, and Good Shepherd Preschool and have enlisted the help of Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Iowa State Extension Service, Iowa Area Development Group, the USDA and hired an independent grant writer. The committee also hired a firm to do a complete feasibility study on the project.

Over the years, Stanton has received enormous support and encouragement for various community projects and events. We feel this project is the turning point in our success. We intend to make this vision a reality and look forward to your participation in this effort. Please join the many contributors that have already made a substantial commitment to this capital campaign by expressing your support today. Our goal is to raise $4.6 million to build this center with pledges and grants. We are hoping with your help that we can break ground by the summer of 2009. Please find the enclosed brochure with information on the project, a pledge card and a return envelope for your convenience. This project could not be done without the support of all of us, residents, alumni, and friends of Stanton. Let’s insure that all of our community and those people of whom Stanton has affected their lives share in the attributes of being a part of this special place called the Viking Center. We encourage you to address questions to contact any of the committee members or email us at stantonfriends@myfmtc.com.

Thank you for your generous support in making our vision become a reality.