UPDATE: We’ve got some great news to share – we are 89% finished with our Phase I campaign to raise $1,646,000 to renovate the Union Project! When the remaining funds are pledged, Union Station (the café partnership with Peabody High School Culinary Arts Academy students) construction can be completed within weeks, and the café will open this fall! Go to www.unionproject.org to check out construction already completed on the renovated offices, studios and meeting rooms that will be open on September 1.   HELP! We’re writing to ask you to join up in our inaugural membership campaign with a tax-deductible donation and help us wrap up the project THIS MONTH! Our goal is to raise $35,000 during the month of August through this e-campaign and individual pledges! Please donate online now at www.unionproject.org.   Become a member at one of the following levels!   1. $100 (or $9 a month for a year OR 100 hours of volunteer labor) sponsors a Union Station mug – your name or loved one’s name stamped on mugs to be used in the café; benefits include: 10 free cups of coffee, 10% discount on stained glass class, Union Project bumper sticker, invitation to annual membership event   2. $250 (or $21 a month) sponsors a Union Station chair   - you can come decorate the chair or have it designed by youth artists; benefits include: 25 free cups of coffee, 20% discount on stained glass class, Union Project bumper sticker, choice of Union Project t-shirt or mug, invitation to annual membership event   3. $500 ($42 a month) sponsors a Union Station table – you can come decorate the table or have it designed by youth artists; Benefits include: 50 free cups of coffee, 25% discount on board room or sanctuary rental, Union Project bumper sticker, choice of Union Project t-shirt or mug, handmade stained glass Christmas ornament, invitation to annual membership event     Your gift will: - Complete the capital campaign and build Union Station - Provide employment and training opportunities for youth - Create a neighborhood gathering space and recreate a strong, diverse community - Support the growth and sale of fair trade coffee - Celebrate local artists whose work will be on display and for sale at the café - Add vibrancy and safety to our neighborhood   Please donate online now at www.unionproject.org.   If you’re on this email list you’ve probably met or seen Justin Rothshank. But did you know he’s not always wearing a dirty orange Union Project T-Shirt or asking you for a donation? When Justin’s not hauling trash or sending emails for the Union Project he spends his free time as a ceramic artist and a wood worker. In fact, if you consider a $100 gift to help the Union Project finish its capital campaign, chances are that Justin will make the mug with your name on it. Justin got involved with Union Project over 4 years ago because of his interest in ceramics, and restoration carpentry. After 4 years, he’s almost had enough of the restoration carpentry, and he’s looking forward to getting his hands back into some mud. Justin’s wife Brooke is also an artist working in oil and pastel portraiture, and hot glass. She’s currently working on illustrating her first children’s book. Brooke and Justin have 2 cats, and a puppy, named Pearl.   CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Did you know that August marks the 4th Anniversary of the Union Project – the month when young, enthusiastic and idealistic Pittsburghers came together to purchase the former Union Baptist Church and dream of it’s creative reuse?   Please help the Union Project meet its goal by donating online at www.unionproject.org. _______________________________________________ update mailing list update@unionproject.org http://unionproject.mennonite.net/mailman/listinfo/update.unionproject