By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
In an effort to get some Lake Panorama National golf course tee box renovations completed this fall, the LPN board of managers is making a push to raise at least $150,000 by the end of August. This would allow time to get bids, choose a contractor and get a portion of the needed work done in 2024.
Friends of Lake Panorama is partnering with the LPN Resort on this effort. All contributions are tax-deductible, and donors receive a letter of thanks that serves as a receipt. Donations can be made in memory or recognition of others.
So far, $50,000 has been raised with $20,000 from private donors and $30,000 from the 2024 Friends Beach Ball.
Donor levels are Sponsor: $50,000 and above; Champion: $25,000-$49,999; Leader: $10,000-$24,999; Benefactor: $5,000-$9,999; Steward: $1,000-$4,999; and Friend: $500-$999.
To raise at least another $100,000 by the end of August, two promotions are underway. One is for businesses, couples and individuals making donations at the Sponsor or Champion levels.
Donors of $25,000 or more by Aug. 31 will receive three 2025 season passes — one each at the LPN golf course, Panorama West golf course, and LPN Resort pool; golf entry for four, meal tickets for four, and recognition at the tournament and 20-Men-Who-Can-Cook fundraising event planned for Oct. 20; and special recognition on social media posts.
A separate promotion is limited to donations by individuals, couples or families and cannot be combined with fundraising events. Anyone who donates $500 or more by Aug. 31 is entered into a drawing to win a 2025 LPN single golf pass plus either a trail fee or cart seat. For every $500, donors receive one entry. There’s no limit on the number of entries donors can earn.
When the LPN capital campaign is complete, donors of $500 or more will be recognized on a display wall in the Spikes snack shop, featuring names and sponsorship levels. Donors currently are recognized on the LPN Resort and Friends websites.
Donations can be made by check payable to Friends of Lake Panorama and sent to P.O. Box 488, Panora, Iowa, 50216. Direct donations also can be made via Venmo @Panorama-Friends. Credit card donations can be made online at www.friendsoflakepanorama.org/donate. Credit card donations must include an extra $15 for every $500 donated to cover processing fees.
Donations of securities (stocks, mutual funds, etc.) are welcome, as are direct IRA qualified charitable distributions. For more details, email staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org.
A fundraising event that includes an 18-hole golf tournament and a 20-Men-Who-Can-Cook food spread is being planned for Oct. 20. The four-person best-ball tournament will be open to the first 36 teams. A donation of $1000 will include a tee box recognition sign, golf and carts for a foursome, and four tickets to the food event. A donation of $500 will cover golf, carts and tickets to the food event for a foursome. Watch for more details soon on Facebook and in the LPN Weekly e-newsletter.
The LPN capital fundraising campaign began this spring with a focus on Priority 1 projects identified in the LPN Golf Course Master Plan. These projects include expanding forward tee boxes, leveling and resodding main tee boxes, removing all railroad ties and where needed, replacing ties with block retaining walls, updates to the driving range and new tee signs and ball washers.
Future projects included in the LPN golf course master plan include needed improvements to the maintenance shop and equipment storage, irrigation pumps and pump house, bunkers, the pond that impacts holes 12 and 13, the pond on the ninth hole and cart paths.
Questions can be directed to Royce Shaffer, Lake Panorama National Resort director of operations, rshaffer@lakepanorama.org or 641-755-2080 ext. 219.