St. Augustine Manor in Peoria has launched its first-ever capital campaign to finance several renovations and maintenance of the Catholic retirement community’s 103-year-old building.

“St. Augustine’s feast day (Aug. 28) is in the month of August, so what better time for us to announce our capital campaign?” said Peoria attorney Jim Rochford, who has served on the St. Augustine Manor board of directors for 18 years.

The goal of the campaign — known as the St. Augustine Manor Capital Campaign Phase I — is to raise $500,000 through voluntary pledges. About 20 percent of that amount has already been raised just from board members’ pledges, Rochford told The Catholic Post.

This first phase is intended to finance better security features, tuck pointing of the exterior, and the installation of a second elevator.
Down the road, a second phase will raise money for renovations of apartment units at the senior residence, located at 1301 N.E. Glendale Ave. in Peoria’s East Bluff and Near Northside neighborhoods.

“We’re looking for people to make pledges over a three-year time period,” said Rochford, though five-year pledges will also be considered.

The board isn’t just soliciting large pledges, he said, noting that pledges in any amount will be gladly accepted.

Rochford said participating in the campaign can be a way for “those who’ve had family there, who know what St. Augustine is like, to say ‘thank you.'”

“Most of the people who have experienced St. Augustine and have lived there are probably our best salespeople,” he told The Post.

To make a pledge, contact Jim Rochford at (309) 637-5322 or drochford@rochfordlaw.com, or Jeri Myers, residential manager, at (309) 674-7069.