MADRID – Fundraising for a building to house Madrid’s New Beginnings Clothing and Food Outreach has surpassed 10 percent of its goal.

So far donations totaling over $15,000 have been given toward the $120,000 goal.

Founded in 1989 by three local churches -- The United Church of Madrid, St. John’s Catholic Church and the Scotch Presbyterian Church -- New Beginnings has been operating out of a dilapidated old barn centrally located on Route 14 in Madrid Springs. Families from all over the county have gone there for help.

St. Lawrence County remains one of the poorest in the state with 23 percent of children living in poverty, according to New Beginnings.

“It’s the children that open people’s hearts,” said New Beginnings Board President Phyllis McDougal. With unemployment still high, “families are really struggling right now. It’s urgent that we get this building up and running so we can serve more people and serve them better and in more ways. That’s why we hope to have all the funds raised by Johnny Appleseed’s birthday, September 26th.”

McDougal says they picked Johnny as a symbol “because to accomplish the mission we need everyone to take a bite out of poverty. The churches and people from all over have given a lot so far but we are going to need some very large donations if we are going to make our deadline. We have an event planned to present the need and the new building to special members of the community that may be in a position to make it happen.”

There are other opportunities for people to help out. A golf tournament on June 2 at the Madrid Gold Course with tee times of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. aims to draw golfers from around the county. The cost is $100 for a two-person team and includes lunch and prizes for a range of achievements from best to worst scores.

Cindy Sweet, who is organizing the event, said, “The community support has been tremendous. Our benefactors so far include Cindy’s Cake Shop, Glazier Packing, Good Times Party Store, Home Town Café II, Price Chopper, Tri-Town Packers, Walmart and Windy Hill Farm. And we owe a big thanks to the Madrid Golf Association for hosting us.”

The registration deadline for the tournament is May 26. Sweet said people can register by phone, 322-4307, or mail along with a check made out to New Beginnings Building Fund mailed to A. C. Davis, Treasurer New Beginnings Golf Tournament, 3613 CR 14, Madrid, NY 13660.

People can also take their cans and bottles to the Bella Redemption Center and their nickels will be donated to the New Beginnings New Building Fund. There is also a dumpster for collecting white metal at the town barn in Madrid until June 1.

Other tax-deductible donations may be sent to PO Box 142, Madrid, NY 13660. Please make checks out to New Beginnings Building Fund.