From Peter Jacobson

I have been reflecting on our mission lately and the countless ways the DLCCC helps to create quality opportunities to learn, grow and play – physically, culturally and socially for all people in the Detroit Lakes area.  Did you know that more than 17,000 people checked into the fitness center during the month of November, and hundreds more came to participate in our many youth and adult sports programs.  Did you know that more than 3,000 people attended one of our recent holiday shows in the Historic Homes Theatre, all within a two week time period in early December.  We are fortunate to have the opportunity to provide a wide array of programs and services that align with our mission – from youth basketball to guitar lessons, from coach trips for older adults to youth swimming lessons and there are literally dozens of more examples.  

So how does all of this happen?   We are frequently visited by other communities who wish they had something like the DLCCC.  There are many key ingredients.  It started with a group of volunteers and the City of Detroit Lakes who came together 25 years ago with a plan and commitment to make the dream of a community center a reality.  We continue to benefit from support from the City of Detroit Lakes and would not be here without the original vision, and commitment to carry this vision forward.  Another key ingredient is a talented and committed group of employees who have a passion for bringing our mission to life for our members and guests every day.  We also have a dedicated group of volunteers who contribute in many ways, from assisting with coaching youth sports, theatre ushers and of course our volunteer community board members.

The last ingredient that is essential for success  and sustainability is our donors and sponsors.  The DLCCC is committed to keeping our fees for memberships, programs and tickets as affordable as possible, while also providing scholarships for those in financial hardship.  Our revenue from services provided covers approximately 80% of our total costs and the difference is covered through grants, support from the City of Detroit Lakes and support from individual donors and business sponsors.  This has included areas like businesses sponsoring theatre shows  and  youth sports.   Individuals donate through Friends of the Theatre and Center Sustainers all of which help to keep fees affordable, while also enhancing the equipment and programming offerings.  Our capital donors made contributions to the original facility construction, the Backyard and more recently the renovation of the Midwest Bank Ballroom.   We are fortunate to have several hundred annual donors who contribute with gifts ranging from $35 to $5,000 and more.  Each and every gift is important and makes a difference in our ability to fulfill and sustain our mission.

One new area of giving for the DLCCC last year was the participation in Giving Hearts Day in February.  We set a goal of raising $20,000 to create an amenity to enhance our pool for young children and families.  Once again, our donors stepped forward including an anonymous $10,000 matching donation and over one hundred individuals who donated more than $26,000 that was used to purchase and install a new toddler and youth water slide.  This new fun Frog slide was installed in October and has already become a huge hit for our youngest members and their families.  Giving Hearts Day is coming up soon and this year we have secured two anonymous donors who have each provided $10,000 totaling $20,000.  Our goal for Giving Hearts Day is to raise more than $40,000.  Half of what is donated will be used to enhance and add new features to the Backyard which is now almost 15 years old and the other half will be used to fund individual and family scholarship memberships for those in financial hardship.   Beginning now, you can log onto the GivingHearts.org website and find the DLCCC to make a donation, or make a donation on the actual Giving Hearts Day which will be February 13.  Either way, we are grateful and excited about the opportunity to further enhance our Backyard and strengthen our ability to support individuals and families with financial hardship access the facilities and programs at the DLCCC.