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RV Hall of Fame Exceeds Fundraising Goal

Originally Published in MotorHome Magazine

 

The RV/MH Hall of Fame is in celebration mode today (July 26) as it announced it had reached its fundraising goal to match the Ingram family’s $100,000 challenge grant – more than a month before the the Aug. 31 deadline.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of all those individuals and companies who contributed and helped us achieve this success,” said Darryl Searer, the Hall’s president. “Contributions snowballed over the last month, putting us over the top.”

Two weeks ago, the Hall announced it was still nearly $10,000 shy of reaching the $100,000 goal. That’s when Jim Hammill, president of Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc., a Canadian-based Class B motorhome manufacturer, called the RV/MH Hall of Fame and said he believed it was time the Canadian RV industry stepped up and showed its support for the Hall of Fame. Roadtrek contributed $10,000 to make up the shortfall.

In the meantime, long-time Hall of Fame supporters Derald Bontrager and Wilber Bontrager, president and CEO, respectively, of Jayco Inc., each personally donated $5,000, bringing the total to 110 percent of the goal.

This week, Thor President Bob Martin visited the Hall, bringing two checks totaling $50,000 honoring Thor co-founder Wade F.B. Thompson, who passed away in 2009. The gifts included a $25,000 check from Thor Industries Inc., and another $25,000 from the Thompson Family Foundation Inc., a charitable foundation created by Thompson.

In May, Tony Ingram, representing the Boots and Betty Ingram family, offered $100,000 in the form of a challenge grant for the purpose of lowering the Hall’s bank loan at 1st Source Bank if the Hall could match the grant through contributions from friends of the Hall prior to Sept. 1.

Searer pointed out that he expects the total to rise higher once the results of the NTP Brick Program promotion is complete. NTP Distribution Corp. has offered to buy a brick in the RV/MH Walk of Fame honoring all customers who meet a minimum purchase level. The Ingram family had previously agreed to count contributions to the Brick Program as part of the matching donations.

“The success of this fundraiser is a bold statement that people and companies in the RV/MH industries want the Hall to succeed and prosper. I cannot thank all of those who contributed enough for their generosity,” Searer said. “It is truly a time for celebration and our celebration continues through the 2012 RV/MH Hall of Fame induction dinner and golf tournament on Aug. 6.”

For those who would like to make reservations for the induction dinner and/or the golf classic, visit www.rvmhhalloffame.org. Reservations can also be made by mail, phone or fax.

 

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