Local Organizations Benefit from Chamber Volunteer Program

North Park Elementary School used to have a sad excuse for a play lot.

The empty, woodchip-scattered site didn't provide much use or entertainment for students. Now, thanks in part to a $266.64 grant from the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce, the once-barren spot is filled with a sports court that includes basketball, volleyball and tennis areas; a "quiet" area; and a climbing structure.

"It's exciting to upgrade it," said Amanda Espitia, director of development and communication at NPES.

Unveiled the first day of this school year, students have been using the space every chance they're allowed. 

Funds that went toward the playground was just one of 15 grants totalling $15,033.17 recently distributed by the Chamber's Ribfest Volunteer Grant Program. Each year, participating organizations volunteer at the street fest in order to earn money for purposes of their choosing. 

Brad Ball, associate director of the NCC, said the program started in 2006 after the organization and its event-planning company, Big Buzz Idea Group, collaborated on ways to grow the street festival.

"If Ribfest was going to grow, it couldn't grow as just a street-fest," Ball said. "We needed a company-orientated approach."

The program has come a long way in the last six years, Ball said, adding that about 600 volunteer shifts were filled at this year's event. In its first year, only about 300-to-400 shifts were taken, he said. 

Program participants are able to sign up for morning, afternoon and evening shifts. Organizations then earn grants based on which shifts they take. The busier the shift, the more money earned, according to Ball.

"In the evenings from 6 to 10 p.m., we're completely slammed and need every beverage booth filled, with people on the gates asking for donations," Ball said. "It has grown naturally over the last six years to be a community-building event. That's why we see it continue to grow."

While the volunteers in the street fest's drink tents must be ages 21 and older, younger volunteers are able to work at the gate, hand out fliers and participate in other ways, Ball said.

"People just want to participate," he said.

Some organizations opt to use their grants on a specific project, as NPES did, or use it toward their general funds, as the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club chose to do.

Receiving $2,533.27 from the program, the NBGC uses the money to help fund organization activities and programs.

"It's not strictly for our football program or our soccer program, it just goes into general operating funds," said Bill Abplanalp, the NBGC director of development. 

NBGC began the program in 2006. They send volunteers to work gates, accept donations, help in drink tents, sell tickets and assist in whatever other capacity is needed.

"We fill different slots,"Abplanalp said. "They show you what they need."

Additionally, the NBGC works with the Chamber in other capacities to raise money. Because of the good relationship between the groups, Abplanalp said, the NBGC tries to give back to the Chamber.

"When they need help, we have our alums and parents work with the Chamber for the projects. We give a lot of community service back," he said. 

Another organization that choose to put their grant back into a general use fund was GiGi's Playhouse, a Down Syndrome Awareness Center. Jennifer Casey, the site coordinator, said the money will alleviate "the need to constantly fundraise."

"It benefits us by giving us another source of revenue," Casey said of the $799 grant. "Like every non-profit, we don't get any federal or state support. We're solely run by corporate and private donations. Finding unique opportunities like this is beneficial to us."

Casey said GiGi's Playhouse will most likely participate in the program next year. 

"The people involved in it had a good time, so yes, absolutely we'll do our best to participate," Casey said. "We're thankful for the invitation for us to be participants in it."

Rachel Gemo, chief executive officer of St. Benedict High School, said the school will use the $1,733 it received toward the school's dance and art programs. Materials are requested for the classes as they become more advanced, she said.

"Kids are going to do great things with this," Gemo said, adding that funds will also be used for hip-hop, basic introduction-to-dance, and "conditioning and the athlete" dance classes.

St. Benedict has been participating in the program for at least three years, Gemo said, and it's a hit with the school community. In the past, the grant has been used to help with a internship program for the school's senior students.

"People like to come out and help," she said. "We're very pleased with it." 

Other participating organizations received the following amounts:

• Bell Elementary: $666.64
• Coonley Elementary: $3,833.30
• Lane Tech Lacrosse Boosters: $1,283.33
• Neumann Family Services: $1,149.98
• RAW: 183.33
• St. Andrew School: $366.72
• Thresholds: $2,216.58

Those interested in having their organizations participate in next year's program should contact the Chamber via e-mail, Ball said. Applications will not be accepted until at least February 2013, but more information, such as the required amount of participants per organization, can be learned this way.

"The Chamber does want as many participants as possible," Ball said.