Anonymous $1.2M donation pushes Light the Hoan effort closer to reality

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Light the Hoan announced Monday, Nov. 11, they received a $1.2 million grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation on behalf of an anonymous donor. 

Light the Hoan is a group of local business and civic leaders working together in an effort to install state-of-the-art LED lighting along Milwaukee’s iconic yellow arches of the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge. 

The $1.2 million donation is the single largest individual gift received by the group so far. According to a news release, it pushes the effort past a key fundraising milestone needed to get work underway. Phases 1 and 2 are moving forward, and will include project development, engineering of the lighting, and bridge lighting design.

Light the Hoan’s leaders continue to work toward the group’s final fundraising goal, and pending completion, are confident Phase 3 can be executed in time to light the bridge for the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee.

“Light the Hoan is beyond thrilled to have the support of local citizens and business leaders who share in our vision to create a brighter future for the City of Milwaukee,” says Michael Hostad, co-founder of Light the Hoan. “We are feeling energized — and confident — that we will reach our fundraising goal to help position Milwaukee in the best light when more than 50,000 people descend on Cream City for next year’s convention.”

The group’s members say they hope citizens see the Light the Hoan project as more than an effort to install bridge lighting. Since the group launched, its website has received more than 1,600 dedications from donors “shining a light” on colleagues, friends, organizations, and loved ones who have positively impacted individuals and quality of life within the city.

In addition to public and personal bulb donations, the project has resulted in a partnership between Islands of Brilliance, a local organization supporting skill development and career connections for children and young adults on the autism spectrum, and Signify, a global leader in lighting technology under the Philips brand.

For more information on Light the Hoan, CLICK HERE

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