Save the River kicked off the final phase of its campaign by announcing it has received the largest contribution in its history, a gift of $100,000 from Dan and Peggy LeKander.

The donation will go into the pot with $500,000 already raised and another $100,000 the group said it hopes to raise in the coming months. The money will be used to expand programs, start a Legacy Fund to secure the group's future, and to renovate and build an addition onto its Clayton offices.

Jennifer Caddick, executive director, said Save the River has a special role as the only environmental advocacy group focusing on policies that affect the upper St. Lawrence River.

"So, from being a watchdog on commercial navigation issues, to stopping sewer overflows, to thinking about how our Canadian partners can get involved in river restoration; there's an ever-growing list of problems and we need to be stronger than ever to make sure that the St. Lawrence River is protected for future generations," Caddick said. 

Building renovations to Save the River's offices begin this month.