Dear Soddy, Daisy & Montlake Association Members as well as the General Public,
A wonderful opportunity has been presented to us. The Soddy Bank building currently housing the Good Old Days Museum is available for purchase by SDMHA. But this can only occur if we are able to raise a substantial amount of money by the end of January 2021. We want to be sure the historical association can continue operating long into the future. We hate to think this is our last season and the museum will have to close its doors forever in February 2021. Having a permanent home and keeping this landmark building open to the public is very important to us. We would like to continue as the stewards of this building which is nearing 100 years old (built in 1921) and the SDMHA has made this a priority for 2021. We are initiating a special fundraiser called "Investing in Our Future to Save Our Past" to engage our members and the local community to help us to realize this goal.
We have been blessed with a rich heritage and SDMHA's main desire is to continue to preserve our shared history for future generations. The owners of the building have graciously allowed us the use of the bank building since the summer of 2017. Even during these trying times, we have put on a great display of local history featuring Soddy, Daisy Flattop Mountain, Mowbray, and Montlake as well as other nearby communities. SDMHA would like to continue this work and provide services to the community.
As mentioned previously, we have been given a gracious offer to make the old Soddy Bank our museum's home. We do not currently have another location available to reopen the museum. Few places offer this level of historical significance and tie in our local coal mining heritage. It is imperative we remain open at the bank building.
This is where you come in. We are asking for your monetary support. Would you help us raise the money for the purchase of the building? Would you be able to donate $100? How about a $1000? This community has a history of giving, many people donated to the Poe's Tavern log cabin when it was built in 2011 and 2012. ( Over 50 people gave $1000 for a log in the building. The City of Soddy-Daisy and volunteers raised over $50,000 and were recognized for their efforts.) For all who graciously donate to help us save the Good Old Days Museum, we will do the same. A plaque will be installed with the names of the major donors that helped to keep the museum open. All donations over $100 will be awarded a certificate and listed as a special recognition from the SDMHA.
The "Investing in Our Future to Save Our Past" fund helps us create a permanent location for the museum and the Soddy Bank building is our preferred home. But we want to be realistic. If we do not raise the adequate funds and the purchase is not possible, everything would have to be placed in storage once again. We need the ability to seek other solutions. That is why we are asking for your financial support. Your investment will help us keep this community's history alive and thriving for the future generations.
Remember, every monetary donation to the Historical Association is tax deductible due to the SDMHA's 501.c.3 non-profit status. You may also make charitable donations in memory of a loved one. Please see the attached donation card and return to us ASAP. You may contact us for more information at (423) 718-0528 or email: slsmith01@comcast.net.
CAPTIAL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 1ST, 2021. WE HAVE NOT QUITE MET OUR GOAL. WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP. PLEASE READ ON TO SEE HOW YOU CAN MADE A DONATION TO ASSIST US IN MAKING THE SODDY BANK BUILDING OUR PERMANENT HOME.
The Soddy, Daisy & Montlake Historical Association would like to thank you for your continued support.
Do you purchase items from Amazon? If so, we are now listed on their non-profit list and if one goes to AMAZONSMILE and you can click on the list of non-profits and choose ours - Soddy, Daisy & Montlake Historical Association. In doing so we will receive a small percentage from what you purchase. Please help us as every little bit helps us to raise the money to purchase the bank building for our museum.
Link to online donation through Square below (copy & Paste in your tab) https://checkout.square.site/merchant/QAS1VKY2ZABNZ/checkout/DTTIAHRTR4AEHVME7MDHJTCZ Or click button below!