Generous Donation Brings New Hubbard Lake Community Building Closer to Reality

10/9/2020

Hubbard Lake, Mich. - With the help of a donation totaling over $244,000, a new community and library building in Hubbard Lake is closer to becoming reality.

The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan received the gift from Albert and Leonore Gonsler of Hubbard Lake, who donated gifts of stock and distributions from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA). The gift was for the benefit of the Hubbard Lake Community and Library Building Fund, which was established to raise money for the construction of a new building.

“This project has been an idea in the works for nearly 15 years. It will be a great asset for the community,” said the Gonslers. “We hope others will step up as well to see the project through. Personally, we felt it was time, and wanted to see our money do something good to help our community.”

The donation is the single, largest received to date in support of the building project.

The Gonslers say they hope the new building will be a true community project, with donations of labor and materials from area businesses, and donations from others who can help the project come to fruition.

Hubbard Lake Community Association (HLCA) board president Jeff Johnston says the new facility will be built behind the current building in Hubbard Lake in northern Alcona County. It will be approximately 5,000 square feet, 2,500 of which will be used for the Caledonia Township branch of the Alcona County Library. The remaining space will be designed as an open community room. The current building will then be razed, with its grounds converted to green space.

“Our board was thrilled to hear of receiving this donation,” said Johnston. “It puts us closer to the next step with this project.”

Leonore Gonsler also sits on the HLCA board and said while her and Albert’s donations provide a good kickstart, some additional funds will be needed to complete the project and provide for ongoing support and maintenance. With the Gonslers’ donation, the fund now has just over $445,000.

Donations to the Hubbard Lake Community Building and Library Fund can be made online at cfnem.org, or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, P.O. Box 495, Alpena, MI 49707.

In addition to gifts of cash, CFNEM can accept donations like the Gonslers’ of appreciated stocks, IRA distributions, as well as many other types of donations.

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