COVE fund raiser will kick off brick paver sales

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief. 

LUDINGTON — COVE (Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters) is in the final stretch of its $2.8 million capital campaign. The agency still needs to raise about $300,000 however, by September.

Organization members and supporters are hoping to raise a portion of those funds by selling brick pavers, that will be located at the entrance of the agency’s new facility at 906 E. Ludington Ave. The brick paver campaign officially launches Wednesday night during the annual Path to a Brighter Future fund raising event at PM Steamers restaurant on West Loomis Street.

Brick pavers will be sold in three sizes: 4-inches by 8-inches, $150; 8-inches by 8-inches at $500 and 12-inches by 12-inches for $1,000.

The fundraising event is from 6 to 8 p.m. and is hosted by Robert and Sylvia Shrauger. Admission is $30 per person.

COVE serves victims of sexual and domestic violence in Mason, Lake and Oceana counties. The new facility will be built at 906 E. Ludington Ave., former home of the organization’s offices.

The new energy efficient, cost-effective facility will include both shelter for clients and the COVE offices. Designed as a secure environment that enhances confidentiality for COVE clients, it will feature six separate living units for privacy, common areas for companionship and COVE offices.

The facility will also include program and meeting space and a sexual assault nurse examiner suite, which was funded by Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital.

The new building will replace the 112-year-old home that currently serves as the shelter as well as the 37-year-old modular office building located a mile from the shelter.

Support has come from a variety of local and non-local sources including an anonymous $1 million donation and another donation of $100,000. Other major supporters have included West Shore Bank, Consumer’s Energy, Meijer, House of Flavors and Great Lakes Castings, among many others.

Tickets for Wednesday’s event can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com or at the door.

The campaign to date has raised $2.4 million.