Dubuque Organization Depending on Donations

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By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Dec 21, 2009 at 6:25 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 21, 2009 at 6:25 PM CST

DUBUQUE - A human services organization says it needs your financial help this year. But there is something in it for you - a massive Christmas lights display.

For many of families, Hillcrest's Reflections in the Park has become a Christmas tradition. For Hillcrest this it the biggest fund-raiser of the year. And this year, the organization is depending on those dollars more than ever.

The lights, the music, the tradition. Cars line up at Murphy park each Christmas season to see what's new and check out the old favorites.

Hillcrest charges each car-load $8 and directors use the money to help pay for the group's services. 80 percent of Hillcrest's $17-million dollar budget comes from governmental funding- mostly from the state.

Directors expect the 10% state-wide cuts to jeopardize some of Hillcrest's programs. Programs like residential treatment for teens, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and health care programs.

"Donations are down in general. We are seeing donations, half of what they have been in other years at Christmas time and then you add to that the state budget cuts and it is a major hard time for us," said Gary Gansmer.

Monday, volunteers are expecting a visit from Santa Claus. If the lights don't get spectators here, Hillcrest hopes maybe Santa will do the trick.

Directors say they need to raise at least $75,000 this year to off-set the funds they will not get from the state.

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