Thank You Duck Dash Sponsors!
Our Duck Dash sponsors were our special guests at our regular meeting on August 12. Sponsorship Chair, Jola Barnett, welcomed those sponsors who attended the luncheon.
Sponsorship Luncheon
In her opening remarks, Jola reminded us that we are a group dedicated to making our world and our community stronger, and that our community is stronger because of the partnership we have formed with our partners. As a result, in the last few years we spearheaded building a playground and splash pad at Haller Park. Over $250,000 of proceeds from our Duck Dashes of 2014 through 2017 and our related Friends of the Park Campaign greatly improved the park. We were delighted that the splash pad was able to open this May.
Despite our focus on Haller Park, proceeds from the Duck Dash has resulted in our club's support of other important community projects and programs that represent our values and goals in the community. This includes, but is not limited to, grants to the food bank, college scholarships for graduating high school seniors, a new elevator for senior housing at the Stilly Valley Center, robotics, music and drama club, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in partnership with the Arlington Education Foundation, Scouts, Youth Dynamics, Cocoon House, Kids Kloset, and the Arlington Boys and Girls Club.
Sponsorships were originally started to cover the costs of the Duck Dash with the pledge that all money raised from ticket sales would go to community needs. With a pledge that at least half of sums raised for sponsorships would go to scholarships, we have greatly surpassed the cost of the event. In the past 9 years we have raised over $920,000 in cash and in-kind donations. In 2020, because of the pandemic, there were no ticket sales. Nonetheless, our traditional sponsors contributed over $60,000, all of which were used for scholarships.
This year our 98 sponsors generously gave $157,000 in cash and in-kind donations. It was our best year ever! We will be able to give over $75,000 in scholarships in addition to other community projects and programs. Included in the 98 sponsors were 4 that had never sponsored before. Dwayne Lane's Chevrolet was our original single
$10,000 Platinum Sponsor 12 years ago. That number has grown to 5 this year. Joining Dwayne Lane's Chev were Symmetry Chiropractic for the 2nd year, Eagle Family Dental, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and Reece Construction. The longest continual sponsor is Bailey, Duskin & Peiffle, attorneys, at 17 years. Other long term sponsors include Arlington Hardware, Eagle Family Dental, Banner Bank, Penway Media. Langabeer McKernan, & Burnett, CPA's, Jim Minifie's State Farm Insurance, Nelson Petroleum, and John Meno Edward Jones.
Annual donors of $1,000 or more receive a hand made plaque made by Terry Marsh. He has made 120 such plaques since 2011. Each year a sponsor may add another brass plate. Jola handed these out to those present along with certificates of appreciation and plaques for new sponsors of $1,000 or more.
To see a complete listing of our 5 Platinum, 6 Gold, 14 Silver, 34 Bronze, and 17 community sponsors. click HERE. THANK YOU SPONSORS!