The Lake Panorama Association has been developing a relationship with a new 501(c)3 organization for the past month or so, that being the “Friends of Lake Panorama” non-profit group.

LPA General Manager John Rutledge says he’s looking forward to collaborating with board members of the new non-profit organization, which he says is to the LPA what a hospital foundation is to a hospital.

“It’s an organization that has come together to try and raise money for things that the Association or the LPN Conference Center cannot fund in its budget, and it will try to benefit things (at the lake) that would be for the public good.”

Rutledge describes what the LPA’s relationship with “Friends of Lake Panorama” has been like so far, and what he expects their collaboration to be like moving forward.

“I think they’ll have their own direction, but we are in communication about what best serves the Association.  However, independence is very important to maintain that 501(c)3 status, so we won’t try to control them, but they’ll ask if what they plan to do is consistent with our overall plan.”

Rutledge says the true benefit of the new non-profit is the fact residents and members will now be able to make tax-deductible charitable contributions toward the lake.  Those that had given to the LPA in the past were not eligible to receive tax deductions.

The Board of Directors for the new “Friends of Lake Panorama” group is comprised of Kirk Fischer, Bob McCleary, Jan Reinicke, James Spradling, Tricia Steffen, Kent Stephenson and Jodi Sutton.