Dear Lakesiders,

The outpouring of community support was overwhelming for Lakeside Chautauqua's second #GivingTuesday initiative on December 2, raising more than $118,000.

Together, we collected $13,000 more in gifts than last year, making #GivingTuesday 2014 truly a 'hole-in-one' experience.    

One hundred sixty gifts were received from 19 U.S. states and more than 50 Ohio cities to support Lakeside Chautauqua's mission.

Lakesiders gave $73,000 specifically towards enhancements to Lakeside's miniature golf course, with two families challenging the community with more than $50,000 toward the project.

Additionally, gifts totaling $46,000 were received in support of The Endowment for Life Initiative, Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, recreational programming and facilities, religious life programming, C. Kirk Rhein, Jr., Center for the Living Arts, Hotel Lakeside, youth group housing and Ohio's Most Beautiful Mile gardens. Gifts were also made in honor and memory of loved ones.

Joining the #GivingTuesday movement, more than 10 families and individuals gave back to Lakeside for the very first time. #GivingTuesday also marked 20 years of consecutive giving for eight Lakeside families, and 35 families have been giving for five to 10 consecutive years.

To support the #GivingTuesday initiative, four Lakesiders graciously shared their stories and memories about the miniature golf course on our blog, The Front Porch. More than 300 people visited the blog in November and December.

Over the past three weeks, 150 people shared their personal miniature golf pictures and comments with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. They commented about their favorite holes at the course, working at the Mini-Golf Hut, having family reunion tournaments and celebrating hole-in-one experiences.

Thanks to your digital engagement and sharing the #GivingTuesday hashtag, individuals may have heard about Lakeside Chautauqua for the first time. On Facebook alone, our viral reach was more than 15,000 leading up to #GivingTuesday.        

Because of your generosity, we have raised more than $350,000 to date for the Lakeside Fund. While we still must raise additional funds, we are well on our way to achieving a record annual fund goal of $815,000 by March 31, 2015.

Regardless of size, each gift given on #GivingTuesday helps to transform lives by providing opportunities for renewal and growth, nurturing mind, body and spirit.

Collectively, these gifts enrich the Lakeside Chautauqua experience for all. We are most grateful for the generosity of the Lakeside Chautauqua community as we celebrate the significant success of #GivingTuesday 2014.

Even though #GivingTuesday has passed, it is not too late to participate in the spirit of giving this holiday season with a gift by the end of the calendar year. All 2014 Lakeside Fund gifts must be received by March 31, 2015, our fiscal year-end.

Please consider giving a gift online or sending a check, made payable to the 'Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation,' to: Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation, 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside, OH 43440. For more information, contact [email protected] or (419) 798-5396.

Thank you for your continued support.

In the Spirit of Chautauqua,

Kevin Sibbring

Lakeside Chautauqua

President/CEO