The Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation has stepped forward with a $50,000 challenge grant to help make the final payment on the 2½-acre Diane and Frederick Lord property.

Just after sunset on December 22, 2005, Wells Reserve manager Paul Dest and Laudholm Trust president Susan Rouillard signed closing papers on the Lord Parcel. This final legal step marked the end of several years of discussion with the Lords about how to best preserve a vista so central to the identity of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm.

The Trust began raising funds in earnest for this critical initiative when the purchase-and-sale agreement was signed in May. We have made excellent progress to date and under the terms of the closing agreement we have six months to complete the purchase. We’re optimistic, particularly with the news that the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation has offered a $50,000 challenge grant for this purchase. With your help, we can finish this effort sooner rather than later.

The Foundation will match every gift restricted toward the acquisition of the property, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Your gift in any amount doubles in value if we meet this challenge.

We have until the end of May to accomplish this task and turn to you, our members and friends in the community, to help complete this landmark acquisition for the Wells Reserve.

The Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation challenge will help us in our efforts to preserve the cultural history of Laudholm by protecting the Lord parcel. Over the years, Kennebunk Savings Bank has been a steady supporter of the Trust and Reserve, contributing to the annual Laudholm Nature Crafts Festival and making important contributions to our biggest projects. This is, however, the largest single commitment that the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation has made to Laudholm Trust and the Wells Reserve since the bank began supporting our organizations in 1984.