New temple prays for help
Amid celebrations marking a year since the Hindu Mandir, or temple, of Lake County opened its doors, leaders are pleading for volunteers and donations to keep the facility running.
Officials said they made little progress in the debut year to repay a nearly $2.8 million loan used to build the $4 million temple near Grayslake.
Yet, more pressing challenges are ahead.
A recent fundraiser collected about $20,000 toward a roughly $75,000 sprinkler system to be installed starting Monday.
Officials need help managing the temple day-to-day, and funding to expand the two-story building's water system and parking lot to accommodate worshippers who attend special services and festivities.
"We are barely making it hand-to-mouth," said Shashi Mehta of Libertyville, president of the India Cultural Association, which owns and operates the temple through a 23-member board. "We definitely need more support."
The temple, on roughly 20 acres at 20444 Peterson Road, draws from an estimated 3,500 Hindu families from Lake, McHenry and northern Cook counties and southern Wisconsin. It also could be visited by some of the 100,000 to 200,000 Hindus in the Chicago area.
Hundreds of devotees attended the temple's opening last June. Community members donated roughly $800,000. But the money is running out fast and giving is down to a trickle.
"That (donating) has to continue on a yearly basis, rather than just one time," Mehta said.
Anniversary celebrations culminate Sunday after three days of religious and cultural programs. It includes devotional songs and prayers, musical entertainment and traditional Indian folk dances.
Temple officials will try to tap prospective donors and recruit new blood during the weekend's activities.
Founding members who made the 30-year-old dream a reality now said they hope to pass on the reins to a new generation of stewards.
"I think this is really the defining moment for the temple, and for its trustees also," said Kam Gupta of Arlington Heights, a two-year member and temple kitchen coordinator.
Gupta said he believes it's a matter of time before community members step up.
"We don't need 1,000 committed volunteers. We need only 10 or 20 committed volunteers who can then learn the process and become good servant leaders," he said.
Future plans to build a retirement home and school on the grounds are on the back burner. Officials said the priority is paying off the loan and generating more revenue.
The temple makes money through religious services offered by the priest onsite and in private homes, such as for engagement and wedding ceremonies, and blessings of new homes.
Onsite classes on Indian vocal and instrumental music, traditional Indian dances known as Bharatnatyam and Kathak, yoga, Hindi language and religious education help fund operations.
"We bring in about $15,000 to $20,000 a month income and we spend about the same," Mehta said. "We are trying to operate low-budget at this point in time."