Bethlehem Guests,

We are having a crisis right now as the City of Santa Clara has required us to remove our storage containers from our property by the end of 2010. We have met that requirement and removed our storage containers in November. All of our sets, costumes, tools, and props have been stored in these containers for the past 12 years. Without on-site storage we cannot continue the Bethlehem program.

The Bethlehem Board of Directors decided to start raising money to build a permanent storage facility in the back corner of the church property. From the quotes we have received and donations by a builder, it will cost around $80,000 to build a 1736 square foot storage building on a new concrete pad. This will replace the five cargo containers we were currently using.

From its inception, Bethlehem has always been funded by public donations and not the church. We are not part of the normal budget of Santa Clara First Baptist Church. We are looking for people from the community who want to see the Bethlehem program continue to donate money towards this building so we can get through this crisis and keep Bethlehem going.

We have 11 to 16 thousand people come each year (depending on rain) who want to see this program continue. If everyone chipped in we could easily cover the expense. We have already raised $45,000 through some special donations, a rummage sale, and people like you who have already donated. Ground was broken in late November with the installation of a concrete foundation and if funds come in from the Bethlehem program we plan to put up the building shell in late December. After the shell goes up we will continue to raise money to install roofing, stucco, garage doors, and electrical in the building so we can use the building.

To donate to this project by credit card, use the donate page or write a check to "Santa Clara First Baptist Church" and on the Memo Line write "Bethlehem Building". Mail or drop off at Santa Clara First Baptist Church, 3111 Benton Street, Santa Clara, CA, 95051.

We will also accept material donations if you can donate stucco work, garage doors, electrical service, or roofing. We have most of the building itself heavily price reduced by California Pre-Cut Home of Danville.

We have pamplets in the church lobby and office that also express the need if you would like to hand them out to your neighbors.

Thank You
Jerry Cintas
Bethlehem Producer