To the editor,

How does one publicly thank an anonymous donor?

Perhaps by sharing her enthusiasm and good deed with others so that others can see what is so precious to her?

The Depot thanks you, the Alliance thanks you, and the city of Blair thanks you.

When I picked up the phone the other day, to the sounds of a straight-out-of-the-chute question: "Are you the man that has something to do with the old depot?" I knew I was dealing with a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and was all business.

I was looking forward to a chat with someone with a story to tell or a question or suggestion on how the depot might be used. I always welcome the opportunity to share comments about the Depot in the Park project.

What I didn't know was that she was trying to find out how she could donate some serious money to the project.

She asked how come the donation process was such a secret and I had to sheepishly explain that we have been awaiting the decision in Lincoln on the status of our funding request and that following that decision we would then know if we needed to raise 100 percent of the funds for a modest plan, (if Lincoln said "no"), or roughly 25 percent of the funds for a more aggressive plan (if they said "yes").

The funding arrangements will dictate the scope of the project and the ultimate degree of rehabilitation we can bring to the old depot, which now quietly waits, in Lion's Park, for word of its fate. It will only be after the Lincoln decision is made, and the design efforts are finalized, and approved by the city, that we will know exactly what we will be funding. We feel this step of - knowing where the money will go, and how much local funding is needed, is essential for potential donors to know, before they are asked to help out with their financial contributions.

I mentioned to our anonymous donor that the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance (blairhistory.com) is a tax exempt corporation and that donations are tax deductible but she was already up to speed on that.

"I know." She said, "Send me a receipt."

Year-end, tax deductible, charitable giving was already on her Christmas list and I was immediately reminded that she was a woman of action, and all business.

But back to her level of interest in the project. When her envelope arrived at the house, I opened it with a slight smile on my face, anticipating a pleasant gesture of support and was thinking, as I turned over the check, that "Oh, say a $10 contribution would be nice," and that we would be very grateful. After all, we haven't really even mounted a fund-raising campaign and this was a donation out of the blue.

Well, "Holy mackerel!" to say the least. If the depot had wings we could name one of them for such a generous donor or some such thing.

Well, dearest anonymous lady, you have in so many ways, thousands and thousands of ways, given this old depot wings.

Perhaps others will hear the call and consider year-end tax deductible giving for their favorite charities, as well as keep a warm spot in their checkbook for the Depot in the Park. The Alliance will be formulating a fund-raising campaign following the Lincoln decision. Hopefully, Christmas will be pulling into the station a bit early this year.

I'm pulling for the depot! Are you?
Tom Kranda, president, Blair Historic Preservation Alliance