“‘As a local organization, we have grown alongside Tampa Bay by serving the community’s holistic health needs,’ [METRO] CEO Lorraine Langlois said. ‘Being able to restore and modernize this beautiful piece of local history for the community while expanding our impact fits right in line with our organizational mission.’ …

The restoration [of the German American Club] remains [METRO’s] fundraising focus through the end of 2020, a year in which one of its largest annual fundraisers has been postponed. Its 2019 Cocktail Party raised nearly $110,000 for its essential health and community services but will not proceed in light of COVID-19.

‘It’s critical mass,’ [Dir. of Fundraising, James] Keane says. “We have to get this accomplished – and in order to do it, we need further support.'”