October 2, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 3 Mahwah Trail conference nears fall fundraising goal by Frank J. McMahon The New York-New Jersey Trail Confer- ence has begun the last phase of its cam- paign to raise the $1 million needed to restore the historic Darlington Schoolhouse on Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202) at the end of Darlington Avenue. The trail confer- ence intends to use the historic building as its 21st century headquarters. At a press event at the schoolhouse, Ed Goodell, executive director of the trail con- ference, described the plans for the restora- tion and displayed a thermometer to track the funding increases. Goodell advised that construction bids will soon be sought as his organization nears its fundraising goal in order to qualify for a $500,000 gift from the Bolger Foundation of Ridgewood. “With current gifts amounting to $855,000, we are very close to meeting the all-or-nothing challenge from the Bolger Foundation to raise the $1 million by Nov. 1, 2013 in order to trigger an additional $500,000 gift from the foundation,” Goodell said. “Combined with the $1 million raised earlier, this will complete the funding of the capital project and we can call in the work crews. We are grateful to everyone who has supported the project and we urge anyone who has not yet pledged their support to help us make the mercury rise to the very top of the thermometer well ahead of the challenge deadline. “To help us meet the Bolger Challenge, supporters can make an outright gift or spread payments over three years or make ‘in-kind’ gifts providing goods and services specified in the architectural and construc- tion plans. All gifts of $1,000 and more pledged before Nov. 1, 2013 to restore and operate the Darlington Schoolhouse will be prominently recognized on an honor wall in the main lobby of the new building.” Goodell advised that the New York- New Jersey Trail Conference, which is a 501 (c)(3) conservation organization, had scheduled a Sept. 29 benefit at the Sun Valley Farm on Ramapo Valley Road. Some 600 potential donors were invited to attend for a $100 donation. On Oct. 10, a champagne reception is scheduled at the clubhouse at the Bears Nest on Spring Valley Road in Park Ridge to create additional awareness about the project. Goodell emphasized that all gifts are tax deductible and he urged donors to contact Don Weise at (201) 512-9348, extension 13 to contribute. While the fundraising progresses, Goodell said the trail conference is moving forward with building plans and has issued a request for construction bids to firms qualified to perform work that meets the U.S. Dept. of Interior Historic Restoration standards. Bids are due by Oct. 10. Goodell pointed out that the trail confer- ence engages thousands of trained volun- teers to maintain trails in 20 counties in (continued on page 21) Ed Goodell, executive director of the trail conference, next to the fundraising chart.