CIVIC CENTER SEEKS HELP WITH DEBT

For 40 years the Cape Civic Center has provided educational and recreational activities for youths of the community, particularly disadvantaged youngsters.

It has been survived some lean years financially, but with a new director on board and new things happening at the center, its future looks brighter than ever.

The center's future will look even brighter if a fund-raising campaign that has just begun is successful. The center hopes to raise $50,000 to pay off its mortgage on the building at 232 Broadway, which it bought in August 1982.

It hasn't been able to pay the mortgage, and center officials believe the fund-raising effort will be the best way. Letters announcing the campaign have been mailed to local business owners and representatives of organizations working with the Civic Center.

The capital campaign is on a tight deadline: It must be completed by Sept. 1 so it doesn't interfere with the annual United Way fund-raising campaign, from which the center benefits.

NationsBank holds the mortgage note, which matured June 21, 1997, and is due in full. The bank has allowed the center to postpone payments over the years as the center struggled through financial woes.

Having investigated ways of paying off the loan, the center's board of directors decided the capital campaign seems the best choice.

The center has made so much headway financially. If the mortgage can be paid off, the operation would become debt free.

We wish the center the best in its capital campaign and urge the community to lend its support. To make a contribution, call director Twan Robinson at 335-7141.