HOPES OTHERS WILL DO THE SAME.
Inspired by a passion for the preservation of Sonomaʼs heritage sites and a desire to maintain the unique and special character of downtown Sonoma, anonymous donors have made a $500,000 challenge gift to the Blue Wing Adobe Trust (“BWAT”).
This generous contribution has been offered to challenge other donors to help the BWAT complete its fundraising goal of $7 million for the purchase of the Mission Bell Farm just off the Plaza on East Spain Street.
Prior to the match commitment, the Trust has received nearly $3.5 million in pledges and funds from generous donors within our community as well as from the City of Sonoma. With $3.5 million left to go, the anonymous donors have committed to matching all monetary donations and pledges dollar-for- dollar, up to $500,000, made through February 24, 2019. The donors made the match commitment to “help keep precious treasures like Mission Bell Farm as vital links to Sonoma’s living past.” They also hope their gift will inspire other members of our community who can make similar significant commitments to do so to make sure we don’t lose this chance to save this historic Clydesdale Farm for future generations.
The BWAT plans to place a conservation easement on Mission Bell Farm and will continue to operate it as a working farm, with horses, small livestock, fowl, orchards, produce gardens, and a small vineyard.
“We are extremely grateful to this visionary donor who shares our love of historic Sonoma and truly cares about what happens to our townʼs landscape for generations to come,” expressed Patricia Cullinan, BWAT chair. “With almost 10,000 signatures on the Save the Farm petition, we have been overwhelmed by the number of people who want us to protect the farm. But now, it is critical that we meet our goal by late February. We need everyone who supports this effort to not let this once in a lifetime opportunity slip by and to donate to the cause so we can make this dream a reality,” added Cullinan. “Large donations will be the key, but any size donation counts and will make an
even bigger impact because of this challenge gift opportunity.”
You can donate online at www.bluewingadobetrust.org or call 707.732.4511 to learn more about giving.