SVM-SS4_05232014

Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home

30th Anniversary

May 15, 2014 A Marketing Supplement To Sauk Valley Media All content submitted by the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home

PAGE 2

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014

The TELEGRAPH 窶ｦ D OHJDF\ RI LQﾃ々HQFH

6+$: 0(',$ ONE GREAT COMPANY

CELEBRATING 163 YEARS Relevant Information, Marketing Solutions, Community Advocates

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 3

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

REAGAN BOYHOOD HOME BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Ann Lewis Welcome to the past, present and future of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of its opening. For those who were in attendance when President and Mrs. Reagan came to dedicate the home in 1984, it will be a trip down memory lane. We want to thank all of the people who have supported us over the last three decades.

It is an honor to be the first woman president of the Reagan Boyhood Home Foundation Board on the 30th anniversary and a pleasure to serve with such outstanding volunteer board members.

John Thompson serves as the board vice-president. He is the President/ CEO of the Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. John has a special connection to the home because his grandfather, William Thompson, built it in 1891.

Joe Rudolphi serves as board treasurer.

He has lived in Dixon over 40 years and worked as an accountant, financial analysis and tax consultant with Rock River Production Association and Agro System. Joe currently free lances as a financial and tax consultant.

Jim Burke is a past president of the board and serves on the Marketing Committee. Jim has been Mayor of Dixon since 1999 and a licensed Realtor for over 30 years. Jim also has a special connection to the home because he is the realtor who sold it to the original Foundation and Restoration Board.

Jeff Lovett is also a past president of the board and serves as the Chairman of the Fund Development Committee.

Jeff is the Regional Market President at Midland States Bank. He is also active in the community as the Chairman of the Sinnissippi Centers Board.

Tom Demmer is the Chairman of the Marketing Committee. He serves as our representative in Springfield and works at KSB Hospital as the Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning.

Bob Bell is the Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee. Bob is an architect who has worked in Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas and San Diego.

He has been a member of design teams that have won a number of national AIA Honor Awards.

Genesis Hey is on the Marketing Committee and the head of the new Video Project for our Visitors’ Center. Genesis was born and raised in Dixon and is the owner of Genesis Hey Productions, a company which produces promotional videos. She also has written several books and does motivational speaking across the country.

Brandi Langner is our Executive Director. She was raised in Sterling and has been active in a variety of community affairs. As an added bonus, we get the services of her mechanically-minded husband, Corey, who is always willing to volunteer.

The heart of our organization is our volunteers. From the beginning in 1980 when Postman Lynn Knights was inspired to purchase the Reagan Home on Hennepin, there have been hundreds and hundreds of volunteers.

We love our volunteers and are always looking for new people.

Michael Reagan

Maureen Reagan

If you are interested, please contact Brandi Langner at 815-288-5176.

Through the years, many historians and writers have visited the home to gain insight into Reagan’s roots. In our 30 years, almost half a million people have toured the home....visitors from all 50 states and over 100 countries.

In 2000, Maureen Reagan came to Dixon to dedicate the Illinois Reagan Trail and tour the home. In 2011, the Reagan Centennial year, Ron Reagan came twice, first to research his book, My Father at 100, and the second time to do a book signing at the home. Michael Reagan has also come twice, first to promote the Reagan Transfer Scholarship from Sauk Valley Community College to Eureka College. The second time to escort the Liberty Education Student Tour with young people from the United States and Europe.

In honor of the 30th anniversary, we are celebrating the American ideal of having humble beginnings that lead to important positions. We are asking our visitors, “Where does your path lead?”

We will put their answers on YouTube.

This is our 2nd year of partnering with the John Deere Home, offering special tickets that admit you to both homes.

This year we will be giving a special award at the Reagan Run in July. The 30th place man and woman runner will each receive a $30.00 check and a 30th anniversary commemorative gift. During the Petunia Festival, in

Ron Reagan

honor of their 50th anniversary, we will be offering 50% off our admission. We continue having a close relationship with Eureka College and look forward to future joint ventures.

In the 30 years we have been open, our Visitors Center has served us well as a reception area, museum, video room and gift shop. But with only 1200 square feet, when large groups visit, it becomes crowded. For this reason, the board is investigating the building of the Reagan Illinois Heritage Museum which will include a youth-friendly educational museum, lecture/video room, large reception area, gift shop, office and a special rotating exhibit area which would change every 6 to 9 months. After we draw up plans, the Fund Development Committee will decide whether we can pursue this goal.

As the number one tourist attraction in Lee County, we hope that our efforts will lead to national publicity and many more visitors in the next 30 years.

Please enjoy this special Reagan Boyhood Home anniversary section.

Ann Lewis is a retired teacher and business woman who joined the Reagan Boyhood Home Board in 2008. She served as the chairwoman of the Dixon Reagan Centennial Commission and as vice-chair of the Illinois Reagan Centennial Commission. She is active in Rotary, the Illinois State Historical Society, Dixon Tourism, the Lowell Park movie project, Phidian and the Reagan “Life Guard” Statue project.

PAGE 4

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014

The Beginning

by Brandi Langner A lot of talk was happening around the Boyhood Home as our anniversary date neared. What do we want to convey to our guests and supporters about the Boyhood Home? How do we want them to feel as they walk away from a tour of our very special historic site?

Words like “hopeful” and “empowered” came up. There was also the resounding desire to reach out to every generation that may, or may not, cross our threshold.

For those who have not had the pleasure of touring our site there is an underlying theme of hope and perseverance that infuses one’s visit here. A person can’t help but leave with a sense of pride in Ronald Reagan, the city of Dixon and our country as they learn of the President’s humble beginnings and the twists and turns his personal and professional path took throughout the years. Let it never be said that Ronald Reagan couldn’t land on his feet. He did, time and again.

In the spirit of Reagan’s talent for reinventing himself and always welcoming

a new challenge we decided this season would be the perfect time to ask our guests and neighbors to reflect on their own lives. We request that they dig deep and ask themselves where their own paths lead. The plan for the future could be grand or very simple. Regardless, a path is a path and each is important to the individual.

Should our friends care to share their paths with us, we are welcoming video testimonials. Please email your future hopes as an attachment to info@reaganhome.org or, better yet, give us a call at 815288-5176 to schedule a time to let us record you right on the porch of the Boyhood Home! Testimonials will be featured on reaganhome. org for participants to share with the world!

On the subject of a more short term path, we anticipate a spectacular tour season this summer!

In addition to welcoming visitors from all over the world we invite you to come out and chicken dance! On May 14th those who let us film them doing the Chicken Dance for our Facebook page will earn free admission to the Home.

It is National Dance Like a Chicken Day after all. Too bashful to strut your stuff alone? That’s ok! We’ll do a “group dance” in front of the Boyhood Home at 4pm. Earn a ticket to come back and see us another day!

“Where Does Your Path Lead” filming will be available from 10am – 1pm on July 5th. Bessy, our Model T Ford, will make another appearance in the Petunia Festival parade on July 6th. Keep an eye out as we accompany the Dixon Museum Alliance while helping to celebrate 50 years of the Dixon Petunia Festival! And don’t forget

our biggest event of the year, our fall fundraiser mystery dinner.

Table sponsorships are currently available for $400 (8 seats) by calling or emailing the Reagan Home.

Tickets for individuals will go on sale beginning Sunday, June 1st.

Visit us online or stop by the gift shop early for those as they will go fast. This year’s performance is “Murder in the Doublewide”. We encourage our guests to put some special effort into their extra casual attire and get ready for a great time!

On July 17, 1980 Ronald Wilson Reagan was nominated at the Republican Nation Convention to be the party’s candidate for President of the United States in the November 1980 general election.

The next day the Dixon Telegraph ran a story that If you haven’t been to the Boyhood the Reagan family had lived in the home at 816 Home or one of our events, we South Hennepin Avenue invite you to make that a goal this having moved there in season. We would love it even if you just want 1920. Postman Lynn Knights had passed the to stop in to house daily while on his say ‘hello’.

We enjoy get- route which had a “for ting to know sale” sign in the yard until our Sauk Val- the story came out in the ley neighbors Telegraph. as much as Knights, the Realtor and our international guests. most Dixonites had no Here’s hoping idea this was Reagan’s boyhood home. Knights your path immediately went to the leads to our office of Jim Burke Realty doorstep in the very near and put a deposit down to secure the property at future. $31,500.

(Burke is now the Mayor of Dixon and a member of the Board of Directors of the Reagan Home Preservation Foundation.)

Knights and several local residents quickly formed a restoration and preservation association which purchased and took title to the property. The volunteer group began the task of raising funds, restoring the Home and saving it as an important component of Reagan history. The whole process took nearly four years and on February 6, 1984 the President and Mrs. Reagan and brother, Neil dedicated the Home.

In December of 1984 Norm Wymbs was elected chairman of the association Board and effectively took control of the property for a number of years.

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 5

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary The Beginning continued...

Through the financial generosity of Norm and Harriet Wymbs, and many others, the Home opened to the public, maintained and nearby property acquired for parking and other uses.

On October 30th, 1990 President Reagan made his final visit to Dixon, walking through the restored Home and having lunch in the dining room for the second time.

Subsequently, the Wymbs, who had purchased the vacant South Central School at 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue made the decision to devote their time, energy

and financial resources to restoring the former grade school attended by Reagan. Consequently, Wymbs turned total control and responsibility for the Home over to the new Board of Directors, making a substantial financial contribution to the Foundation in the process.

The City of Dixon will forever be indebted to countless volunteers, Dixon residents, Lynn Knights, Norm & Harriet Wymbs and Bill and Marilyn Jones for saving, restoring and preserving the Boyhood Home for current and future generations to visit and appreciate.

Supporting and Celebrating Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home & Visitors Center’s 30th Anniversary

*ACUZZI 3UITES s ,ARGE )NDOOR 0OOL 'ROUP !CCOMMODATIONS !VAILABLE AT $ISCOUNTED 2ATES (OT #OMPLIMENTARY "UFFET s "REAKFAST %ACH $AY

0LAZA $R $IXON ), 815.284.0500 www.cidixon.com

PAGE 6

REAGAN 1984

by Senator Tim Bivins

February 6, 1984, was the first time in the history of Dixon, Illinois, that the air space was restricted with only a a law enforcement helicopter allowed. The reason was that President Reagan was coming to town. The City of Dixon, Illinois, was throwing a birthday party for it’s favorite son, the 40th President of the United States, Ronald “Dutch” Reagan.

Reagan loved Dixon and while he didn’t make it back often, in the first sixteen years of my law enforcement career, he came back four times.

The third visit was by invitation to attend his birthday party, dedicate the Reagan Boyhood Home and enjoy a hometown parade.

It was a sunny February day with a high of zero, perfect weather for a parade...yes I am being sarcastic.

I was now a ten-year veteran of the Dixon Police Department. I was se-

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014

lected to be a member of the newly formed honor guard that included Officers Robert Short, Greg Witzleb, Gary Coppotelli, Francis Fassler. We would lead the parade and present the colors while the National Anthem was played with President Reagan standing behind us on stage with other dignitaries. While we carried our service revolvers and two members carried rifles, we were not allowed to have bullets and the firing pins of the rifles had to be removed.

When we passed the reviewing stand where President Reagan and his wife, Nancy, watched, we were in perfect alignment. The camera caught one foot up on each member in a perfect line and back heels looking like one step.

It was indeed a proud moment.

What many didn’t see were the countless hours we practiced marching. Three of the five members, myself included, had never served in the military, so marching in unison did not come naturally; but after months of drilling, we had it down.

The uniforms were designed in house and custom made by a uniform company to fit each member.

We also had to learn how to ‘spit shine’ our boots to give them a glassy appearance. We dressed for the day with thermal long johns, wool socks and gloves with a white dress glove to cap off the ‘dress blues’ we were wearing.

The President arrived in a new Presidential limo. We were told this was the first time that this limo was being used. Almost four hundred police officers from across Northern Illinois lined the parade route every five feet on both sides of the street. The Secret Service were taking no chances as three years earlier,

Reagan had been shot in an assassination attempt. The President waved to the crowd, used a microphone and a built in car speaker to say, “ Hello” and “Thank you” to the people.

It was only six blocks from Third Street to the reviewing stand at First Street and Hennepin Avenue.

I carried the Illinois State Flag and by the time we reached the reviewing stand, I could no longer feel my hands. Frostbite had set in in that short distance. By the time we finished the parade route, which concluded at Dixon High School, we assembled in the boys locker room outside the gym. Doctor Deets told me to go to the sink and run some hot water over my hands. It was exceedingly painful as the blood started to circulate and my hands warmed up.

The Secret Service had been preparing for weeks unseen. They checked out all buildings, detained individuals that even joked about causing harm to the President, placed snipers on rooftops, held countless briefings and went over potential scenarios. I was asked to escort a few

of the snipers to the outdoor police pistol range so they could sight their custom made rifles. They recorded, by policy, every practice shot they took and even allowed me to try my marksmanship. It was an amazing day ---a great memory and inspiration.

Six years later, President Reagan had finished his term and wanted to come to Dixon for one more visit.

This time I was the Sheriff of Lee County and had the privilege of being part of the security team with the Secret Service that accompanied President Reagan from morning until evening. The next day we had our photographs taken with the President before he left town. It was at this time I said to President Reagan “Mr. President my name is Tim Bivins and I am the Sheriff of Lee County. I just wanted to say that your visit in 1984 was one of the things that inspired me to run for office and I wanted to say thank you”.

In true Reagan fashion and true humility, he blushed and said as only he could “Well..thank you.”

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

PAGE 7

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

Congratulations to The Reagan Boyhood Home & Visitors Center on your Anniversary!

Experience the difference local service can make!

Reagan Home volunteers thanked for their efforts

Local People s Local Approval Local Payments s Local Service

by Greg Smith

DIXON –The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home staff thanked the 46 volunteers and eight board members for the more than 2,500 hours they put in over the past year to keep the house open to tourists at a special banquet Friday, Nov. 14, at the Dixon Elks Lodge.

“Next to the home, our volunteers are our most important asset,” said Jeff Lovett, former president of the home’s board of directors.

During the seven months the home is open for tours, visitors from all 50 states and 17 foreign countries toured the home and visitors center in 2013, according to Brandi Langner, executive director of the home. Nearly 7,000 adults & children visited the home either individually or as groups. Numbers were up slightly over 2012.

“We had 733 shifts covered by volunteers this past year,” said Langner. “We’re always looking for more volunteers to help out.”

Gary Burger received the award for Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Volunteer of the Year. Harry Grobe was recognized as the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home New Volunteer of the Year.

“Volunteers were asked to vote for volunteer of the year,” said Langner. “A plaque with his name will be put up in the visitor center.”

In addition to tours, the home also hosted more than 700 motorcycle riders for Breast Cancer Awareness and Detection Pink Ride this past summer.

One of the new features at the home is Bessy, a 1919 Ford Model T that can now be driven in parades and appear at car shows, thanks to the efforts of the Fox Valley Model T Club. Members of the club restored Bessy to working condition and returned her to the home this summer. Children from Dixon voted on what name should be given to the car and Bessy was chosen.

Also new this year was a Fall fundraiser, which was Nov. 1 at The Brandywine in Dixon. The event raised $7,000.

“We will have another Fall fundraiser next year,” said Langner.

For more information about the home or to inquire about how to volunteer, call (815) 288-5176.

Your Neighbor Since 1885!

Sterling Rock Falls Dixon Morrison Mount Morris Byron Clinton, Iowa

www.sterlingfederal.com

PAGE 8

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

Shop With a Purpose

The Foundation of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home

by Brandi Langner Do you like to shop? Do we have a deal for you! Much of the Boyhood Home’s funding is derived from our gift shop sales. When you choose to shop at the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Gift Shop, you help keep a historic treasure alive and available for the public to enjoy while taking home some really fun stuff! As you can imagine with household expenses of your own, those of a historic landmark are vast. Even with dedicated volunteers providing much of the labor, it is quite costly and everything helps our bottom line.

Selections at the Boyhood Home are quite unique. We offer retro wooden toys, books & dvds, custom apparel, and even “magnetic poetry” that allows you to mix and match famous political quotes! We have some fun new items to share this year which include custom puzzles with piece sizes appealing to both young and old. I wonder if fitting together a puzzle of the Boyhood Home is anything at all like renovating the home itself thirty years ago? Custom scented candles make great gifts as well.

We have a collection for every

PAGE 9

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

taste including the First Lady’s favorite flowers with, “Nancy’s Garden”. If you prefer something sweet you might try, “The President’s Jelly Beans”. For those who are a bit indecisive why not choose “America the Beautiful”, a red, white and blue option layered with scents of American apple pie, vanilla and blueberry. An alltime favorite for the past several years has to be our “Dutch Treats”

cookbook. Pages and pages were lovingly gathered by volunteers, friends and volunteers of the Boyhood Home. In addition, the books is rounded out by a collection of recipes from First Families.

By Brandi Langner

our gift-shop today. Available in Sterling silver or gold overlay, this piece is truly unique and a great way to show your pride in the President’s hometown.

Anniversary logo mugs and tshirts are on their way so do be sure to stop in and say, ‘hello’. Peruse our inventory and think of us when you are in need of something fun and unique. We have willing volunteers here to help you from 10am-4pm Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from 1pm-4pm. Although we close from November until April you can always call us and we will be happy to help you out during our off season if at all possible.

This year we are especially proud to have partnered with Venier Jew-

elers to bring back a custom charm created especially for the President and First Lady early in President Reagan’s first term. When we came across a copy of a thank you letter to the Veniers in our archives we asked if the charm was still available. We were so pleased to have made this friendship as we now carry the very same charm in

The Reagan Home Gift Shop is proud to be part of Sauk Valley Shop Small. Visit us, along with other local retailers, for quarterly shop-small events throughout the Sauk Valley area. While you have the opportunity to “shop small” virtually every day of the year, the next Sauk Valley Shop Small event is scheduled for May 31st. Stop by the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home for details and your very own SVSS pin which entitles you to extra perks at participating retailers!

You find them everywhere. They could be building a playground, caring for the young or the old, picking up trash along an adopted piece of highway or, if you happen to be at the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home, you will find them doing any number of things!

They are volunteers. They are short or tall, thin or … less thin, young or old. One thing that remains true among them all is they have some of the biggest hearts you will ever know. Volunteers are a very special breed. I know because I’ve been one myself for a number of years. They see a need in the community and step up in hopes of making some small difference. They don’t seek compensation or, in most cases, even gratitude. They are a humble lot, happy to do what needs done simply because of a need and their own passionate drive.

The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home would be in a world of hurt if not for our volunteers. These lovely individuals greet guests from all over the globe for 7 months out of the year. They welcome our visitors with open arms and, in many cases, are the first people tourists interact with when visiting the Sauk Valley.

They are the people who leave that first impression which determines how the rest of the country, and the world, look upon Dixon and the Midwest. They take that responsibility seriously, striving to offer the best possible experience to our guests. Our volunteers not only work in our gift shop and host tours, they also repair property on our site, tend our grounds, serve on various committees and so much more. They are the heart, soul and the foundation of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood home and we are so very grateful to be honored with their precious time.

Volunteers helped begin the home in the 1980’s. They had a vision and a dream to turn a dilapidated old house on South Hennepin into something loved by everyone and recognized for the important historical significance that it had. It was truly a labor of love because there are some projects that no amount of money can produce. If you have seen photos or video of the President’s home prior to the magic I think you can understand where I am coming from. It was a fixer-upper to be sure. In the process the Home was a magical glue which brought the community together for a common good and continues to do so to this very day.

PAGE 10

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

Paving the Way to an Updated Presentation

By Genesis Hey

At the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home we are doing many exciting things in 2014. We are putting into place quite a few projects and have many ideas about increasing traffic to the Boyhood Home. One of the most prominent projects consists of the development of a new video portraying Reagan and his life in his hometown of Dixon, Illinois.

Our current DVD presentation is quite dated and, while much is still relevant, could use some sprucing up. A new video project will highlight

additional scenes of Reagan’s life in hopes of further engaging viewers. We feel it is important to address some of Reagan’s most influential moments while involved in the Dixon community.

This will be quite a project. We are asking for the help of the community to bring this project full circle. If you own old photos or video of Ronald Reagan we would love the opportunity to view your treasures and possibly use them in our presentation. Anything borrowed will be returned upon completion of the project. We are also in need of volunteers to participate in the production of this upcoming video. If you, or someone you know, are interested in helping as an actor, videographer or other capacity, we would love to hear from you as well.

We know you will agree that this is going to be a great addition to the Reagan Home and Dixon experience for our guests. In addition it will give our highly esteemed President the exposure that he deserves while celebrating his roots in the community. As new guests from around the world enjoy this new DVD experience they will be left without a doubt why Ronald Reagan was so proud to Dixon as “a place to go back to”.

Ken Nelson Auto Group Serving Dixon and Surrounding Community for 50 Years 1964-2014

Local Management ... Local Ownership!

We Are Your Automotive Destination 928-1100 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon Rick Curia — President & CEO

815-288-4455 www.KenNelsonAuto.com

Chevrolet | Cadillac | Buick | GMC | Chrysler |

Dodge

|

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014

RAM

| Jeep | Toyota | Nissan

“Only Dealership in Northern Illinois with Ten Franchises - One Location”

Erecting the statue

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

Ronald Reagan with statue

C

PAGE 11

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

Lunch at the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home

r e

All of us have to have a place we go back to...

“Dixon is that place for me” -Ronald Reagan

discoverdixon.org 815-284-3496 Lee County Tourism Council

815-288-1840

VMÄJL'SLLJV\U[`[V\YPZT JVT ^^^ ZLLSLL PUMV

Promoting Sites and Events in Lee County Since 1988

Congratulations to the Ronald Reagan Home!

PAGE 12

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

Ronald Reagan Memorial

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014

Reagans in front of Boyhood Home

Congratulations on 30 Great Years! ~ From the Reagan Run 5K Race Committee ~

809 East 2nd Street, Dixon, IL s WWW 7ILLETT(OFMANN COM Willett Hofmann & Associates, Inc. has been providing Professional Engineering, Architectural and Land Surveying Services since 1935.

We are proud to sponsor a 5K Run named in memory of President Reagan.

To register for this year’s run

www.reaganrun.com

We are dedicated to serve our clients Ethically, Responsively and Professionally with highly trained and skilled staff.

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

Ann Lewis accepts Representative Tom Demmer’s House Resolution, honoring the 30th anniversary of the RBH and its volunteers

PROUD TO BE THE PROVIDER OF HEATING AND COOLING FOR

The Ronald Reagan BOYHOOD HOME & VISITOR’S CENTER

PAGE 13

Ann Lewis along with Senator Bivins with the Senate Recognition of the RBH 30th Anniversary

A better tomorrow begins today.

CenturyLink proudly supports the local community.

CenturyLink knows a successful future is built on a strong foundation and hard work. Together, we can build a thriving community that prospers.

See how we connect at centurylink.com.

24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK

SERVICE AVAILABLE ON ALL MAKES OF FURNACES & AIR CONDITIONERS

CenturyLink is a proud supporter of the Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home & Visitors Center. t )JHI 4QFFE *OUFSOFU t %*3&$57 t 7PJDF t 4NBSU )PNF TFDVSJUZ TFSWJDFT

$BMM

PAGE 14

Your Suppport Is Needed

The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Preservation Foundation is proud of its ability the last 30 years to have been able to showcase the former residence of President Ronald Reagan and display his early youth through not only the Home itself, but also by a picturesque park and displays in our Visitor’s Center. This site is open to the general

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary public seven months per calendar year seven days per week. Can you imagine what your own home would be like having 10,000 visitors per year walking through it?

It takes a considerable amount of time, talent and money to allow us to keep our doors open. We are a non-profit foundation and receive no municipal financial support. That means that we receive absolutely no Federal, state, county or city financial support. We are solely dependent upon the volunteer staff of dedicated local residents who man both the Home and visitor’s center, a small admission or preservation fee for Home tours, sales receipts from our gift shop and the donations of financial support that we receive through our Friends program.

We can really use all of your help and assistance. You can help us in a variety of ways. One ways is by volunteering your time and talent. We are always looking for individuals that would donate some of their time by volunteer-

ing in the gift shop or by being a Home docent that provides tours. If you can volunteer one day or one afternoon a week or a month, that is a huge help.

What better way to share the news of the Reagan family while meeting visitors that come from across the country and around the world.

Another way to support us is by becoming a Friend. We have a variety of membership categories that provide a mixture of membership benefits.

Whether it is a gift of $30 or $100 or $500, it all makes a huge difference in our operating budget and allows us to carry on our mission. We are planning on holding a Friend membership campaign later this year, so will be hopefully reaching out to many of you to financially support us.

Lastly, we are commencing a legacy giving program. By providing for us in your will, trust or estates, you will be helping future generations learn of the youth of a small young man from Dixon, Illinois who played in the YMCA

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014 band, was a caddy at the Dixon Country Club and protected swimmers at the banks of the Rock River at Lowell Park and then went on to become the President of the United States and a world leader.

As you see, there are numerous ways that you can make a difference in helping and supporting us. The Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home belongs to all of us, but it is incumbent upon all of us to also lend a hand in making sure that this gem is going for the next 100 years as well.

Jeffrey A. Lovett Past President Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home Preservation Foundation

-AY s Sauk Valley Media

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

PAGE 15

PAGE 16

Reagan Home 30th Anniversary

3AUK 6ALLEY -EDIA s May 15, 2014