"Now with a $1.5 million incentive matching pledge, every $2 donation we receive turns into $3 to complete upgrades and enhancements," says Rich Smith, campaign coordinator. "This is a tremendously generous gift and a truly exciting addition to the campaign.

"The incentive is to help raise an additional $3 million, which when combined with the matching pledge, will make a total of $4.5 million available to complete all planned improvements," Smith said.

Projects yet to be started include construction of a state-of-the-art physical education facility and renovations to the athletic/football field.

The campaign's initial progress was fueled by a $682,000 bequest earmarked for the campaign from the estate of the late William C. Wombacher, Smith said.

"We are so fortunate to have so many people continue to support St. Teresa's mission — to offer a complete Catholic education: academic, spiritual, athletic and cultural," said Ken Hendriksen, St. Teresa principal. "The new matching program and other generous gifts are designed to help us deliver on each aspect of our mission.

"When we achieve our goal for the entire campaign, we will have one of the finest facilities in the community for our students, teachers and athletes," said Hendriksen.

Contracts for this summer's work have been awarded and Otto Baum Co. Inc., a local Decatur firm, is the general contractor. All sub-contractors are also from the local community, according to Smith. The work has already started and is scheduled to be completed on Aug. 8.

Meanwhile, the capital campaign continues to solicit support from the community and from the diocese. Anyone interested in making a contribution, should contact Hendriksen or Rich Smith, campaign coordinator, at (217) 875-2431.