Even before I joined the staff, some of my most cherished memories occurred here with friends who remain some of my closest—including my wife, whom I connected with on a retreat at the Manor. Since joining the staff, I’ve come to see the widespread impact we have in providing retreats for the full variety of groups and individuals.

Hundreds of guests from dozens of groups have experiences similar to my own. They return year after year—some for decades—because of the experiences they have and the relationships they form here. More importantly, though, are the thousands of young people who come annually. I’m quickly approaching having served 10,000 youth in my time here, a milestone I’ll pass before the end of this academic year. While La Salle Manor is a place of hospitality for many, our primary mission is providing transformative retreats for youth.

To make retreats affordable and accessible, we provided over $125,000 in grants and discounts last year, allowing us to welcome over 3,500 youth, college age and younger—more than 70% of our total guests. Our discounts are essential for many schools, churches, and other organizations to make retreats possible for young people. Without this financial aid, many young people would miss the chance to reflect, grow, and connect in the meaningful way retreats provide.

With our 85-year-old log cabin lodge, 47 acres of land, and other facilities, ongoing maintenance is constant. Recent and upcoming projects include removing our 50+ year-old pool, replacing roofs, upgrading HVAC systems, and refreshing furniture. These efforts are necessary to ensure we can continue hosting retreats, but we strive to avoid passing these costs on to youth who can’t afford them.

This is why I’m reaching out for support. Donations are critical to sustaining our mission while keeping retreats affordable. I know many of you have fond memories of your time here and continue to support youth—whether as teachers, parents, grandparents, social workers, counselors, or mentors.

Thanks to the generosity of some of our top donors, we have received pledges for a matching fund this December. All donations received by December 31, 2024, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $5,000, doubling the impact of your gift. Please help us reach our goal and maximize this $10,000 opportunity.

The best ways to give are by:

• Mailing a check: La Salle Manor Retreat Center, 12480 Galena Rd., Plano, IL 60575
• Zelle (no fees): username director@lasallemanor.org
• Online: https://lasallemanor.org/donate (set up recurring monthly donations here!).

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and all donations are tax exempt. Donors will receive a letter of recognition for tax purposes at the end of the year.

Thank you for your generosity, and I am praying that you have a beautiful Advent preparing for the birth of Christ.

Sincerely,


Scott Baietti
President, La Salle Manor