Major Gifts To Help Anchor House

Published: Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 1:33 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, October 12, 2014 at 1:33 a.m.

AUBURNDALE | When you're hot, you're hot.

Having recently mounted a major campaign to raise funds for badly needed repairs, remodeling and expansion of its services, Anchor House Ministries finds itself close to its goal, having collected $278,000 in the past few days.

Two major donations gave the Auburndale boys' home a needed boost, including $110,000 from an anonymous donor that will be used to jump-start a transitional program for boys 18 and older who have aged out of the program but still need assistance, officials said.

Another gift of $150,000 brings the ministry closer to its goal of raising $250,000 for repairs and upgrades to its main campus. The money is from Helen Rich of Hillsborough County, a granddaughter of chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr., who learned of the nonprofit's needs after watching a Tampa Bay television newscast, said Kathy Bucklew, president of the board of directors at Anchor House.

The agency concluded its banner week by raising another $18,000 for remodeling during Thursday night's banquet at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, she said.

The dinner alone was "by far the largest single-event collection in our history," Bucklew said. "We're so excited. We're really feeling the momentum build."

[ Eric Pera can be reached at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528. ]

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Major Gifts To Help Anchor House