Olive Grove Project Update
Dear Biola Parent,
A year ago, Judy and Dana Sommers (parents of now Biola alumni, Danae and Erin) sent a letter to all Biola parents, which began:
There is a section of land at Biola preserved by the city of La Mirada as an historical landmark. It includes some of the original olive trees for which the city was known when Biola moved to La Mirada from downtown Los Angeles. The area is unused, and a bit overgrown, but a group of people are committed to seeing this area become a park where students can relax and enjoy a pastoral setting amid a bustling, highly developed campus.
A year later, we have great news! Thanks to the generous gifts of many Biola parents, $81,262 was raised for the initial phase of the Olive Grove Park Project. The result is a beautiful footbridge installed this past July, connecting the park with Biola’s east campus. This month and next, the landscape will be cleaned, lights installed and the historic olive trees will be pruned and reinforced. The park will open later in the fall, and a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for February 2009, during Biola’s “La Mirada Campus 50th Anniversary” celebration.
Thank you to the many who made this possible—a combination of financial generosity, prayers and hard work on the part of the Biola Parent Council and all Biola parents. Soon, our students will enjoy
a quiet, beautiful historic spot on campus to read, relax and reflect.
To put the finishing touches on the project, this year’s Parent Council has taken on the final phase of the Olive Grove Park Project—raising the funds to install a permanent polypavement path system in the park and provide benches for comfortable seating and studying. Funding this final portion of the project will require $40,000.
Will you join us in making a donation to help finish the Olive Grove Park? We hope to raise the $40,000 this semester in order to complete this project for the dedication ceremony in February 2009. Your student—and generations of students to come—will thank you!
We know many families are stretched financially to send children to Biola. Please know that gifts of any size will make a difference to finish the Olive Grove Park. Blessings to you as you consider how you might help.
Sincerely,
Steve and Julie Roth
Co-Chairs, Parent Council
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