To the editor:

Thank you for running the article “Plummer Youth Promise to reopen restored Caroline Plummer House” in the April 28 issue of the Daily Item. It captured why renovating this historic building while focusing on our goal of keeping children in foster care connected to family is so important.

On May 2, we celebrated the reopening of the historic Caroline Plummer House and honored the community that made this restoration possible with an open house. The attendance far exceeded our expectations, and the feedback was rewarding.

It is impossible to thank everyone involved with this project, but I must thank the following:

• Michael Whitmore, our architect, who listened carefully to our youth and staff.
• Jonathan Lavash, Owner’s Project Manager, who made sure all the disparate pieces moved forward as an efficient, cohesive whole.
• David Groom, and Groom Construction, who kept our young people top of mind.
• Larry Lessard, and Achieve Renewable Energy, for designing a system that renders us free of fossil fuel.
• Elected officials, Sen. Joan Lovely, Rep. Manny Cruz, and Mayor Dominick Pangallo, who helped us access public and private resources, as well as the many departments throughout the City of Salem that helped us complete this project.
• Kathy and Ted Truscott, Co-chairs of our Rebuilding Families Capital Campaign.
• Former Plummer resident and current Plummer Board member David Guilbeault, who spoke about the impact Plummer has had on his life
• The amazing Plummer staff and the young people we serve are the reason we do this important work.

For those who weren’t able to attend our celebration but would like to help, we have an anonymous donor who will match all donations up to $350,000 made through June 30 in order to assist us as we seek to raise the remaining $3.6 million to pay off the $25 million expense associated with this major undertaking. Gifts in any amount will make a difference.

With Gratitude,

Nicole McLaughllin

Executive Director

Plummer Youth Promise