Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette file photo FINNISH AMERICAN HERITAGE Center in Hancock.

LAKE WORTH, Fla. — The American Finnish Club of Lake Worth, Fla., known in the community as Kerhotalo, has presented a $1 million gift to Finlandia Foundation National, or FFN.

The donation is the cornerstone contribution in the Saving Finland in America campaign launched in 2023 to preserve and protect the historical and cultural assets of the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.

Additionally, a part of this donation will be designated to establish the “Kerhotalo Fund” through FFN, which will enable and support scholarships, grants and programs that are connected with, or relevant to, the Finnish-American community and Florida. Both objectives represent a significant boost to Finnish America.

The heritage center houses thousands of documents, photographs, newspapers, records and artifacts that tell the story of Finnish America. Last year, FFN embarked on a $3 million campaign to save those as well as the Finlandia Art Gallery, Finnish American Folk School, Price of Freedom Museum, North Wind Books and The Finnish American Reporter, all of which had previously been held by the now-closed Finlandia University. In addition to saving the Heritage Center and bookstore buildings, FFN maintains the staff of six personnel responsible for the ongoing programs, operations and conservation of and care for these historical assets.

FFN President Anne-Mari Paster and Executive Director Tommy Flanagan, as well as FFN Trustee and Honorary Consul of Finland Peter Makila, accepted the ceremonial check. It was presented Jan. 11 by Kerhotalo President Kaija Kalervo and board members at the Annan Maja building at Finnish-American Village in Lake Worth.

“The contribution by Kerhotalo is significant and enabled us to reach our three-million-dollar goal,” Paster said. “It is humbling to know that the members of the organization have entrusted Finlandia Foundation with this new responsibility and opportunity in Hancock. With this gift, we will be able to ensure a future for these irreplaceable treasures of Finland and Finnish America.”

“This gift carries on the legacy of the founders of Kerhotalo in a very meaningful way,” Kaija Kalervo said. “Many of them came to Florida from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and their Finnish heritage was of utmost importance. The fact that we can help save the heritage center and its contents, and create a Kerhotalo Fund to help support current projects in Florida, is the best way we can honor the hard work of everyone who supported Kerhotalo over its 80 years.”

The American Finnish Club was founded in 1944 for the area’s growing population of Finnish Americans and visitors from Finland who gathered for cookouts, dances and other activities. By 1946, the members had built their own hall, which was expanded in 1955. At one time, the Lake Worth area’s seasonal population of those with Finnish roots swelled to 30,000. The $1 million donation comes from the proceeds of the sale in 2023 of Kerhotalo. Throughout its history, the organization has given much to the community through its celebration of culture and heritage.