May 12, 1999
Buckner breaks ground
for new $11 million campus in Dallas
___DALLAS--One of Texas Baptists' oldest institutions broke ground May 4 to begin construction of five new buildings in Dallas.
___Officials from Buckner Children and Family Services of North Texas marked the start of construction for a new $11 million campus for Buckner Baptist Children's Home. The new campus will be located on the historic site of the current children's home in East Dallas.
___Larry Mercer, executive director of Buckner Children and Family Services of North Texas, said the groundbreaking marks a historic occasion.
___"Since 1879, the commitment of Buckner has been to serve the Dallas community and offer hope and new beginnings for people who have faced difficult life situations," Mercer said. "This new campus strengthens that commitment and means that Buckner will continue as a leader in providing help to children and families."
___Mercer credited construction of the new campus to strong support from the Dallas community during a recent $5.2 million fund-raising campaign. The campaign, chaired by Gretchen Minyard Williams, included a $1 million gift from Dallas resident Elaine Gabbert to build the John and Elaine Gabbert Center for Education.
___During groundbreaking ceremonies, Mercer and Gordon Caswell, a member of the campaign advisory council, announced a gift from Meriam Calabria honoring her late husband, J.C. Calabria. The gift will fund the J.C. and Meriam Calabria Community Center.
___Mercer also announced May 4 a $500,000 gift from the Meadows Foundation to build a new cottage named in memory of Vela Meadows Broadfoot. The new campus will feature three home-style cottages.
___Buckner officials anticipate completing construction of the new buildings in mid to late 2000.
___Now a statewide ministry, Buckner Baptist Children's Home opened in Dallas in 1879 under the leadership of R.C. Buckner, who served as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas 19 years.?
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