September 2007

Contractors, architects, blueprints, design elements, meeting after meeting; the last year has been really busy with the planning stages of the new Gilda’s clubhouse. Now we are ready to break ground and celebrate all the hard work that has brought us to this milestone.

On Tuesday, October 9 we will celebrate with a groundbreaking ceremony on the actual site of the clubhouse. Supporters and friends are invited to join us as we recognize those that have helped us get to this point and to celebrate moving one step closer to "Opening the Red Doors."

Dedication ceremony on the building site

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

7907 Discovery Court, Middleton, Wisconsin

Directions to the building site, 7907 Discovery Ct. Take the US-14 exit (Exit 251A) off the Beltline towards Spring Green/LaCrosse; Take US-14 West; Turn Right onto Deming Way; Turn Left onto Deming Court.

Enjoy a light lunch and cake at P.F. Chang’s from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., 2237 Deming Way, Middleton, Wisconsin

Please RSVP by October 4 by calling 608/273-8880 or e-mail info@gildasclubmadison.org.

We Are Not Done Yet
By Heidi Green, Director of Development
Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin

With groundbreaking just weeks away, the vision of Gilda’s Club Madison is quickly becoming a reality! This project is on its way to success because many people in our community have already invested in Gilda’s Club by making a donation to help us open the Red Doors. We truly appreciate this support.

As we move into the next phase, construction, we want the community to know that we are still in need of financial support. Before we open the doors, we are determined to raise an additional $1.3 million to complete the campaign and support our operating budget. Remember, Gilda’s Club is a FREE non-profit. We do not charge our members for any services, so community support is vital for the success of Gilda’s Club.

When you make a gift to Gilda’s Club you are investing in your community. You are allowing people; your family, your friends, your neighbors, anyone living with cancer, to have a place where they can be with others who understand, a place where they don’t have to be alone.

Please consider making a donation to Gilda’s Club Madison now. Now couldn’t be a better time. We would love your support of this wonderful community effort.

To make a gift, please visit our website at www.gildasclubmadison.org and click on "You Can Help" or return the gift card on the back of this newsletter with your check.

For more information on Gilda’s Club or on how you can become involved, call 608-273-8880 or e-mail info@gildasclubmadison.org.

Featured tribute and recognition opportunities include:

• Community Room — $500,000

• Kitchen — $100,000

• Porch — $75,000

• Vestibule — $25,000

• Perennial Garden — $25,000

• Outdoor Garden Bench — $5,000

August 2007

This month has brought some exciting news to Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin.

On July 20th, Gilda’s Club was recognized by USA Today as one of the top 25 charities in the U.S. I hope you heard us on the radio celebrating!

Planning Design Build has been chosen to do the construction of our clubhouse. We thank Jim and Tom Pientka, and all the employees for working with us and donating their services. Next month, we hope to share with you our final clubhouse plans.

Heidi Green, Director of Development and John Karcher, a member of our Building Committee, are in the process of documenting in-kind donations for the construction of the clubhouse. If you or your company have offered services, they will be contacting you in the near future.

And last but not least, Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin’s Board of Directors is proud to welcome Marcia Whittington as our new CEO. We are thrilled and excited to have someone of her ability and reputation to join our team. Marcia joins us from Hospice Care Foundation where she was the vice president.

Please think about joining us for the reception at the Red Door Annual Golf Tournament on September 24 from 5 to 7 at Bishops Bay Country Club. Tickets are available on line for $50 at www.gildasclubmadison.org. You won’t believe the auction items!

July 2007

Summer in Madison…there isn’t a better place to be. Hopefully, you are finding time to enjoy our lakes, farmers market, festivals and maybe a lazy day or two. Here at Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin, we are enjoying the summer weather, but we are also working very hard to plan and prepare for the next year.

Our focus on the clubhouse now turns to selecting our contractor and beginning the construction process. We have accepted the challenge of raising the monies as well as obtaining in-kind donations to make our dream a reality.

We are fortunate to have many supporters who have offered their expertise and insight in this area. A big thank you goes to Mike Schulz and Jason DeNoble on the clubhouse committee; John Karcher and Lori Gammon on in-kind donations; and Bill Bula, Wayne Jensen, Jessica Klehr and Peggy Robbins of Flad & Associates.

Heidi Green has joined us as Director of Development and she is committed to help us reach our goal of $3.5 million.

The success of Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin depends on our supporters. Therefore we need your help! Please take a minute to think about what you can do to help Gilda’s Club and give us a call.

June 2007

The architects at Flad & Associates and the Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin Building Committee have put much time and consideration into the space plan and building layout which has gone through a value re-engineering process to optimize the design in relation to the Gilda’s Club program.

We will have a building of close to 15,000 square feet available on two floors and a lower level. There will be beautiful landscaping and ample on-site parking at the clubhouse, to be located in Discovery Springs, Middleton, WI.

In order to proceed with the building and keep on schedule, the campaign goal of $3.5 million dollars needs to be raised by Sept 30 of this year. Please check our website for updated tribute opportunities. There are still wonderful opportunities to make a significant difference in our community. Consider funding a “Wing” at $300,000 or the Community Pavilion at $500,000, or the Building for $1,000,000! Of course, there are many giving levels in-between. Every gift is important and brings us that much closer to clubhouse construction.

If you have any questions, want to see the latest plans, and learn more about how you can help, please contact Gilda’s Club at info@gildasclubmadison.org or 608/273-8880. It will be a pleasure to share the news with you.

May 2007

Having just returned from the Gilda’s Club Worldwide Affiliates Conference in Buffalo, NY, we must say what an inspiring time it was! Imagine 150 people with a Gilda’s Club connection gathered in one place. The reason that Buffalo was chosen is because it is the home of Gilda’s Club Western New York.

Cindy Alvarez, Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin Board Chair, attended the conference and was especially interested in visiting the beautiful Gilda’s Club located on what is known as historic "millionaires row", dating from the times of economic prosperity of the Erie Canal. The clubhouse is a "four-floor old stone mansion" with 3,000 square feet on each floor, totaling 12,000 square feet.

The interiors are beautifully done with the warmth and welcoming environment that we plan for at our own Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin clubhouse.

We have updated plans on our website.

Note the Community Room with the Kitchen designed for everything from cooking demonstrations to family style pot-luck gatherings. We will benefit from using the lower level for the exercise room and lounge with areas for storage, mechanicals and future programming.

If you have questions or want to help us open the Red Door, please contact us at 608-273-8880 or info@gildasclubmadison.org.

April 2007

We have some conceptual clubhouse designs to share with you. Please check our website to view the floor plans!

Our timeline for the clubhouse includes having final plans ready by early May moving into construction documentation by mid-May and completing the permit submissions process this summer. September is our anticipated month to begin construction.

We are building an impressive list of companies and individuals that are interested in making in-kind contributions to the clubhouse. This aspect of the construction process will be carefully managed to be certain that construction specifications and guidelines are met. The contacts for in-kind contributions are John Karcher, jkarch@charter.net, for the outside and Laurie Gammon, lgammon@knightbarry.com, for interior donations. The construction process using all in-kind contributions will be professionally managed by PLANNING Design Build of Madison.

If you have any questions or want to learn more about how you can help us Raise the Roof and Open the Red Door, please contact us at info@gildasclubmadison.org.

March 2007

We have enjoyed another busy month of activity on the clubhouse, with ongoing efforts to ensure that the design of the clubhouse provides that special warm and welcoming location for the Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin program and mission.

Our architects at Flad & Associates and the GCMW Building Committee have put much time and consideration into the space plan and building layout.

Gilda’s Club Worldwide has participated in the building design process to share the successes experienced in other Gilda’s Club clubhouses from around the country.

The clubhouse is designed at 10,000 square feet on two floors with beautiful landscaping and ample on-site parking.

In the next issue, we will show preliminary clubhouse designs.

This month we are sharing updated tribute opportunities for contributions to our clubhouse campaign starting at $1,000 for a Garden Bench and going up to $300,000 for one of four Wings, $500,000 for our Community Pavilion and $1,000,000 for the Building.

Of course, there are many giving levels in-between. Hopefully, one will speak to every one of you in our Gilda's Club Madison Wisconsin community.

If you have any questions, or want to learn more about how you can help us Raise the Roof and Open the Red Door, please contact us. It will be a pleasure to share the news with you.