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Vol.16 No. 1
Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara LOSE WEIGHT
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Mayor’s Gala committee creates forever funding BY SARAH MURRELL VOICE Staff The annual Mayor’s Gala has, for the past three years, been a vehicle to raise funds for local causes, and once the gala was over the funding was as well. That’s changing this year with the development of a Pelham Community Fund that will provide funds for Pelham charities in perpetuity. Mayor Dave Augustyn, members of the Mayor’s Gala Committee and Mel Groom, president of the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF), met last week to sign an agreement that creates the Pelham Community Fund within the greater Niagara Community Foundation. Half of this year’s gala proceeds will support the establishment of the Pelham fund with the Niagara Community Foundation. The fund will make funding for local charities available in perpetuity. The other half of the proceeds will be awarded to community groups – charities, service clubs, or not-for-profits organizations – through an application process. “In previous years, the Pelham community has been extremely generous in its support of the Mayor’s Gala, helping to raise more than $75,000,” said Augustyn. “The Gala Committee hopes to raise enough funds to support community groups this year and in perpetuity through a community endowment.” The fund will be held by the Community Foundation in perpetuity. Once the fund is fully established, any annual earnings can support the work of charities providing programs
MEMBERS of the 2012 Pelham Mayor’s Gala Committee were joined by Mel Groom, president of the Niagara Community Foundation, to sign the agreement creating a Pelham Community Fund for long-term funding of local charitable organizations. Signing with Groom (front, centre) are Mayor Dave Augustyn, Ian Hamilton (back, left), Martha Toscher, Ross Macfarlane, Leah Ugulini, Jordan Arcaro, Ursula Radbone (front, left), and Jean Bancroft (front, right). Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo
and services in the Pelham community. “I am pleased that the Mayor’s Gala has established the Pelham Community Fund as part of the Niagara Community Foundation,” said Liz Palmieri, Executive Director of the NCF. “It means that funds raised during the Gala will be available forever to local charities to serve Pelham.” Gala proceeds are not the only funds that will be used to grow the Pelham Community Fund. Groom noted once the fund is established anyone can donate to it, by a gift in their will; making a donation while they are still living; or making monthly contributions. Augstyn noted that for people who want their dollars to work in perpetuity for the community of Pelham this fund is the
vehicle to accomplish that. The Mayor’s Gala committee has also established an application process for the other half of the Gala’s proceeds (expected to be approximately $12,000). From now until noon on Friday, April 13, local charities, services clubs, and non-forprofit groups can complete and submit an application form. The form, available via the Mayor’s office and on the town’s website, asks groups to outline how they intend to use the funds to serve the community. Not all the available funds must be used by one group; groups can apply for smaller grants and, in that case, more groups could receive financial support. Augustyn explained in the first year the committee discussed what the greatest need was at
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that time, and funds from the first gala were donated to the Rotary Club’s work in finding Pelham Cares a permanent home. The beneficiary of the second Mayor’s Gala was chosen much the same way, said Augustyn. Last year, however, organizations had started to approach the committee with requests for funding. This year, he said, the committee has simply formalized how the choice was made last year, by inviting local groups to make an application and ensure all request are judged on the same criteria. He hopes to have the process started a bit earlier next year, so the benefitting groups can be announced at the same time as the gala date and theme are announced.
The members of the Gala organizing committee are also working to develop sponsorship opportunities. In order to raise as much money as possible, a program is being developed to give maximum recognition to sponsors of the Mayor’s Gala ahead of and during the event. This year’s gala, the fourth annual, is set for Saturday, May 26 at Lookout Point Golf and Country Club. The theme for this year’s gala is “Old Hollywood Glamour”, said Augustyn, noting the gala is traditionally a black tie event and the committee felt it would be fun to tie a theme to the event. Each table will be named, based on the top movies of the era, with the politicians’ table currently the “Raging Bull” table. Individual tickets, which are available at the Town of Pelham office, are $125 each. Tables of eight can also be purchased and sponsored. Over the last three years the Pelham Mayor’s Gala has raised more than $75,000 in support of community projects and programs. In 2009 the Gala raised $22,741 to support a new, permanent facility and the long term sustainability of Pelham Cares. In 2010, the Gala raised $29,728 in support of the Konnecting Kids Program - helping to give less fortunate Pelham children the opportunity to participate in recreation and educational programs. In 2011 the Gala supported five youth-focused projects – like a rowing shell at EL Crossley, the Army Cadet Corps educational trip to Vimy Ridge, and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council’s Outdoor Movie Night.
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