Save Copper Creek, a local group formed last May to fight a proposed high-capacity well in the Town of Utica, launched a fundraising appeal in July in order to receive a $5,000 challenge grant through ‘The Current Fund’ of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. (www.cfsw.org).  

Donations, received by the Save Copper Creek group between July 8 and Sept. 1, were matched dollar for dollar up to $5,000, according to organizers. 

“The response from our community was wonderful to see. Donations from $5 to $1,000 helped match and exceed this generous grant,” said Cynthia Olmstead, a Save Copper Creek Steering Committee member. “Save Copper Creek is deeply grateful to our friends, neighbors and partners for their support, including Organic Valley, which provided a $1,000 donation and several chapters of Trout Unlimited in Wisconsin and Illinois.”

The group believes this funding will provide critical legal and scientific review and assistance for their citizen-based fight against this threat to Copper Creek and to the community resource—precious groundwater. 

“The Current Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, was pleased to be able to provide a challenge match to the Save Copper Creek project and delighted that the total challenge of $5,000 was raised,” commented Sue Conley, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. “The Current Fund was established to support environmental preservation projects in southwest Wisconsin.”

“We’re very thankful for this matching grant from CFSW and pleased that we have a regional foundation so willing to support grassroots efforts like Save Copper Creek,” remarked Bob Van Hoesen, Administrative Coordinator for Save Copper Creek.

Save Copper Creek is a project of the Kickapoo Cultural Exchange, which is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. Donations to Save Copper Creek are tax deductible, Van Hoesen noted.