Three months into 2019, and three more fundraisers have been completed for the Old Millstadt Water Tower. As of March 12, the Friends have passed the $115,000 mark towards their goal of $200,000 to get the Tin Man restored.
We added a new fundraiser in January – a soup supper. We weren’t sure what to expect, so members made a total of seven kinds of homemade soup – over 21 gallons. We sold out in one and a half hours. We will be doing another supper.
February was the month for the annual bowl-a-thon at Bel-Air Bowl in Belleville. We had bowlers come from Highland, Illinois. They bowl in the same league as one of our members, who had passed out flyers during the league’s bowling night. Those two guys won our second-place prize, and they asked “when are you gonna do this again?” Next February!! Everyone who comes seems to have a good time.
This year’s trivia night/silent auction was the most profitable fundraiser the Friends have ever sponsored, with a net profit of more than $6400. We had our largest crowd ever at a trivia night. We were so fortunate to have a lot of non-members donate items for the silent auction. One lady made four really large baskets for children for Easter, and also donated two table top Easter bunnies. I am always amazed at the variety of auction items we receive – everything from themed baskets to gift certificates. The Millstadt businesses have been very good to us, always coming up with something creative and useful. Prairie Farms donated four field box tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals’ game, which we raffled, making $485. Many thanks to everyone who volunteered, donated and attended.
Next up for the Friends is “Restaurant Night” at Mariachi’s Mexican Cantina on Wednesday May 15, from 4-9 p.m. Patrons should tell their server that they are there for the Old Water Tower, and Mariachi’s will donate a portion of their check to the Friends.
June 2 is the date for the annual Millstadt Tin Man Half Marathon and 5K races. The Friends have changed the route, which will start at the corner of East Madison and South Breese streets, right by the Old Water Tower, and will proceed along East Madison/Urbana Road/Schmidt Lane, turning north onto Park Road. Both races are out and back. Ott’s Tavern will be the site of the after-party. Online registration is available at https://millstadttinmanhalfmarathonand5krun.itsyourrace.com
The Friends are continuing to collect used inkjet cartridges for recycling. We have been receiving a lot of cartridges this year. We’ve had people bring us bags full of cartridges. Please keep them coming!!
Donations are always welcome. We welcome any and all donations. We have been very fortunate to have received two donations of $5,000 each in 2018. Online donations may be made right from this website. Just go to “Support Shop”, and follow the prompts. The Friends of the Old Millstadt Water is a 501 (c) 3 charity, and the Friends will issue a tax receipt for all donations.
We have slightly less than two years to go in our fundraising effort. We appreciate all of the support we have received, and look forward to reaching our goal of restoring Millstadt’s icon. We also look forward to hearing from the Tin Man’s friends – we know he has many across the country, not just in Millstadt. Let’s keep working together to save the Old Millstadt Water Tower.
Betty Keller Timmer President, Friends of the Old Millstadt Water Tower