From The Corvallis Gazette Times, November 27, 2011

It was supposed to cost $4.5 million to renovate Old School at the Children’s Farm Home on Highway 20 between Albany and Corvallis, but an unanticipated septic system upgrade has bumped the cost up another million.

Now Trillium Family Services, which operates the Farm Home as a treatment center for children ages 5 to 18 with behavior and mental health challenges, is launching a capital campaign Monday to raise funds to finance the final phase of the project.

Previously, Dave and Penny Lowther of Philomath donated $2.8 million, and an anonymous donor contributed $1 million. The rest of the money collected so far has come from smaller donations.

“With an anonymous donor prepared to match new donations up to $500,000, we’ll just need to raise a half-million,” said Cheri Galvin, regional development director for Trillium. “My goal is to raise that by the end of January or by early February.”

Times are tough, she acknowledged, but if people can “give, say, $5 or $10 we’ll get that matched and the campaign will go quickly.”

Trillium’s annual Denim & Diamonds auction on Saturday, Jan. 28, is the event Galvin hopes will push the campaign over the top. It starts at 5 p.m. at the CH2M Hill Alumni Center in Corvallis. Tickets are $55 if purchased before Dec. 31, and $65 if bought by Jan. 18.

Those interested can keep track of how much Trillium has raised by checking a barometer that stands next to a 22-foot tall rocket in front of the school.

Once the $1 million is in hand, the work can be done in about five months, Galvin said.

Architect Bill Ryals of Modern Organic Architecture in Corvallis designed the improvements to Old School, assisted by Endex Engineering.

T. Gerding Construction Co. is overseeing the restoration of the 17,000-square-foot school built in 1925 by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Originally, the 300-acre farm home housed orphans, neglected children and children whose parents could not afford to care for them.

Several hundred students attended the school, and when they got older they transferred to Corvallis High School.

Proceeds from a cannery, dairy and slaughterhouse helped cover expenses, as did the sale of fruit, nuts, table grapes, pears and walnuts grown on the property.

The school closed in the 1980s.

When the renovation that began in the fall of 2008 is finished, the main floor will contain a grand entry, a banquet room, classrooms, a café, kitchen, administrative offices and a museum, all available to the public.

The downstairs will be devoted to children staying at Trillium, and areas will be available for them to meet privately with their families.

Contributions to Old School can be sent to Cheri Galvin, 4455 N.E. Highway 20, Corvallis, OR 97330. To make an online contribution or to purchase tickets to Denim & Diamonds, go to www.trilliumfamily.org.

Anyone wanting to donate memorabilia to Old School for the museum can contact Galvin at 541-758-5953.

“The Children’s Farm Home has a rich history of serving children and families most in need,” said Kim Scott, Trillium’s president and chief executive officer in Portland. He toured the school last week. “The Old School is a symbol of this work.”

Mike Morse of Corvallis, who is on the facilities committee also visited the building, showing off its new heating and cooling system along with the newly landscaped area in the back.

Stan Sawicki, the chief development officer, pointed out where various rooms will be.

Walls, finish work, plumbing and appliances have yet to be installed. Galvin said the kitchen appliances are coming from the former Waverly Children’s Home that Trillium operated in Portland until it was sold.

Contributions to Old School can be sent to Cheri Galvin, 4455 N.E. Highway 20, Corvallis, OR 97330. To make an online contribution or to purchase tickets to Denim & Diamonds, go to www.trilliumfamily.org.

Anyone wanting to donate memorabilia to Old School for the museum can contact Galvin at 541-758-5953.