Raising funds for the Manawa Activity Complex
As part of the Manawa School Board's backing of the proposed Manawa Activity Complex, a fundraising committee had to be formed. Jeff Bortle, the athletic director at Manawa High School, as well as community members, Michelle Kaczorowski and Mary Griffin were appointed to that committee.
The fundraising committee took on the daunting task of raising funds, with a deadline of Feb. 1.
Bortle said since he is the athletic director, it was a natural connection to be involved in improving the school district's facilities.
"I'm involved a lot in the youth program and I interact a lot with members of other communities. I've been getting a lot of grief from other communities about the condition of our football field and how bad it is to play on. I have a son who has two more years of football and another one who has a lot more years because he just started Pop Warner last year as an eight year old," said Griffin about why she wanted to be part of the fundraising committee. "I feel that it's going to improve the outward appearance of our school district to people who are coming in. And I want it for the safety of my own children."
Kaczorowski added, "I really saw a need for it especially last year when at one of the games one of the coaches said our field was dangerous and that his player got injured because of it. He was from the opposing team. I don't want kids to be hurt, I want them to be safe. I want to provide them with a field they can be proud of. It was embarrassing for them to play on it. We are known to have the worst field in the conference."
Overall, they said the response from the community has been positive.
The response isn't surprising to Griffin. "If anyone has been to a football game in the last 24 months, they've seen the condition of the field," she said.
Even with the positive response, Griffin admitted that the short amount of time they have to raise funds has been challenging. Especially since those on the fundraising committee also have fulltime jobs.
The reason for the Feb. 1 deadline is if the Activity Complex gets the final approval from the school board, the final designs need to start taking place in early February if the field is to be ready by the fall.
"The board gave us the right to start fundraising in the middle of December. We are trying to do a lot in a month and a half," Bortle said.
Kaczorowski said she doesn't want to have to wait another year for the Activity Complex.
So far, donations of $500 or more have been concentrated on, but Griffin said there is now a need for smaller donations.
"We'll take anything. But if they want the recognition part then they have to [meet the $500 minimum donation]," Griffin said.
She also pointed out that the donations are tax deductible because the school is getting the money.
In addition to monetary donations, businesses expressed an interest in making In Kind donations. For example, Griffin said Kolbe and Kolbe has pledged to donate all the windows for the press box. Centerline Machine, Inc. in Waupaca has pledged to make all the recognition plaques, which will be displayed at the Activity Complex.
With the In Kind donations, the total price of the Activity Complex will come down, Kaczorowski said.
As of Friday, Jan. 20, the fundraising committee had raised pledges of $133,575.
They all stressed that they need to get the pledge sheets back by Feb. 1 so they can inform the school board how much money they have raised in pledges. For those interested in donating, they can go to the Manawa School District web site and click on the Activity Complex link. This link will take them to a web page containing a video of what the Activity Complex will look like, as well as a copy of the pledge sheet. The pledge sheet can be dropped off at First State Bank in Manawa as well as the school.
The fundraising committee took on the daunting task of raising funds, with a deadline of Feb. 1.
Bortle said since he is the athletic director, it was a natural connection to be involved in improving the school district's facilities.
"I'm involved a lot in the youth program and I interact a lot with members of other communities. I've been getting a lot of grief from other communities about the condition of our football field and how bad it is to play on. I have a son who has two more years of football and another one who has a lot more years because he just started Pop Warner last year as an eight year old," said Griffin about why she wanted to be part of the fundraising committee. "I feel that it's going to improve the outward appearance of our school district to people who are coming in. And I want it for the safety of my own children."
Kaczorowski added, "I really saw a need for it especially last year when at one of the games one of the coaches said our field was dangerous and that his player got injured because of it. He was from the opposing team. I don't want kids to be hurt, I want them to be safe. I want to provide them with a field they can be proud of. It was embarrassing for them to play on it. We are known to have the worst field in the conference."
Overall, they said the response from the community has been positive.
The response isn't surprising to Griffin. "If anyone has been to a football game in the last 24 months, they've seen the condition of the field," she said.
Even with the positive response, Griffin admitted that the short amount of time they have to raise funds has been challenging. Especially since those on the fundraising committee also have fulltime jobs.
The reason for the Feb. 1 deadline is if the Activity Complex gets the final approval from the school board, the final designs need to start taking place in early February if the field is to be ready by the fall.
"The board gave us the right to start fundraising in the middle of December. We are trying to do a lot in a month and a half," Bortle said.
Kaczorowski said she doesn't want to have to wait another year for the Activity Complex.
So far, donations of $500 or more have been concentrated on, but Griffin said there is now a need for smaller donations.
"We'll take anything. But if they want the recognition part then they have to [meet the $500 minimum donation]," Griffin said.
She also pointed out that the donations are tax deductible because the school is getting the money.
In addition to monetary donations, businesses expressed an interest in making In Kind donations. For example, Griffin said Kolbe and Kolbe has pledged to donate all the windows for the press box. Centerline Machine, Inc. in Waupaca has pledged to make all the recognition plaques, which will be displayed at the Activity Complex.
With the In Kind donations, the total price of the Activity Complex will come down, Kaczorowski said.
As of Friday, Jan. 20, the fundraising committee had raised pledges of $133,575.
They all stressed that they need to get the pledge sheets back by Feb. 1 so they can inform the school board how much money they have raised in pledges. For those interested in donating, they can go to the Manawa School District web site and click on the Activity Complex link. This link will take them to a web page containing a video of what the Activity Complex will look like, as well as a copy of the pledge sheet. The pledge sheet can be dropped off at First State Bank in Manawa as well as the school.
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