With eyes set to the future of Bellefontaine and Logan County, Lutheran Community Services (LCS) broke ground on their new building site at the corner of Troy Road and West Sandusky Avenue, Bellefontaine, on Thursday, Sept. 22. They anticipate opening the doors next summer, 2023.
Board member Mike Hassel served as MC of the 9 a.m. event.
“This is a great day in the history of Lutheran Community Services,” he told the small crowd, “because after years of visualization, we now actually see the beginning of the construction of a new building.”
It has, in fact, taken almost a decade to see this finally come to pass, according to Kim Collum, Lutheran Services executive director, who first broached the idea in March 2013.
“We kept hitting roadblocks, but we’re finally here,” she stated. “And your prayers are what got us here.”
Several special guests were in attendance Thursday, including Bellefontaine Mayor Ben Stahler and Logan County Chamber of Commerce President Ben Vollrath. They were also joined by Naomi del Guidice, who serves as state legislative aide for Ohio State Representative Nino Vitale and attended the ceremony on his behalf.
Del Guidice said Vitale knew immediately this was a project he wanted to fight for. And he succeeded, setting up a $200,000 capital budget allocation for the LCS building.
Still, at an estimated cost of $1.6 million, the help and support of the community is needed as it is being funded mainly through grants and donations.
“Individuals, families, businesses, civic groups, as well as state and local government have all helped us get to this groundbreaking ceremony,”Hassel noted, with Collum thanking the employees and volunteers who make it all possible.
Rev. Ron Irick reminded the crowd of the work the LCS does: serving the man who needs clothes for a new job, the students who need school supplies, the single mother who needs food for her children.
“Where we stand is the future of this community,” Irick said in closing.
LCS serves the Logan County through Our Daily Bread, which provides hot meals five days a week and operates a food pantry, and through a thrift store. For hours and dates of operation— or to learn how you can be involved — visit the LCS website at becomebettertogether.org or call (937) 592-9914.