Sylvania's generosity in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center may be returned if an offer from a New York church official comes through.
Earlier this year, Sylvania residents sent three trailer loads of emergency goods and supplies made to the Calvary, Holy Communion, and St. George Episcopal parish in New York City. Some of the goods eventually made it to Ground Zero.
The relief efforts were organized by Bonnie Brieschke of Brieschke Bakery and her sister Jennifer, who lives in Manhattan and belongs to the New York parish.
Last week, Richard Jordan, a representative of the church, came to Sylvania and personally thanked city council during its meeting.
Mr. Jordan said a grateful church wants to pay back the city for its generosity in some way. He said he has a strong relationship with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, one of the largest and influential private foundations in the country.
The MacArthur Foundation, with assets of $4.6 billion according to its web site, awarded 704 grants last year for human and community development.
He suggested that if the city directs him to, he could use his influence to win a grant for the city for several projects.
City councilman Pat Kriner, chairman of the city's employee and community relations committee, said efforts to move the Vogt House off property recently purchased by St. Joseph Catholic Church immediately came to mind. Controversy has swirled around the 166-year-old home most of the month.
St. Joseph officials originally planned to demolish the structure to make way for additional classrooms, recreational facilities, and meeting rooms. St. Joseph, with about 10,000 members, is one of the largest parishes in the Toledo Catholic Diocese and parish leaders have said they need to expand.
St. Joseph and a citizens group have hammered out a plan to move the house 200 yards north of the present site after the Sylvania Historical Society led opposition to the home's being destroyed. The home is said to have been a hiding place for runaway slaves involved in the Underground Railroad.
Citizens and preservationists will have about six months to raise the estimated $110,000 needed to move the house from its site along Ten Mile Creek.
"This is something you just never expect," Mr. Kriner said. "He also met with the mayor and our committee about potential issues. This is very generous of him."
City council last week instructed Mr. Kriner and city clerk Margaret Rauch to draft a letter to Mr. Jordan to examine the possibility of winning a grant from the MacArthur Foundation that would help move the Vogt House.
Other projects that a possible grant could fund would be a community play about the history of Sylvania.
Ms. Brieschke said the relief effort came from the hearts of everyone involved and citizens have never looked for anything in return. She said she was surprised by the church's proposal.
"I was overwhelmed [by the offer]," she said. "We had corresponded with Mr. Jordan for a couple of months so I knew he wanted to come down and talk with city council."
Mayor Craig Stough said once Mr. Jordan writes to the MacArthur Foundation, the city would have to wait to see if there is any interest from the foundation.
"If there is, then we would have to complete a more detailed application," Mr. Stough said. "This is something totally unexpected, but it would be a nice addition to the city. I think that's what he wanted." Permanent LinkKindness may pay off for Sylvania in saving Vogt Househttp://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20011129&Category=NEWS17&ArtNo=111290005&Ref=ARSTORY:2002111290005
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