LAST YEAR’S
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: We are proud to report that our goal to build
an all-ages, all-abilities playground was fulfilled last year. Thanks to
your support and a community that embraced the project, the playground
was completed in the scheduled 5 days. The community build event went
beyond our expectations with 1,200+ volunteers. Community spirit ran
high and the participants were and still are very proud of the result.
THIS YEAR’S GOALS: FANs plans on continuing to give to
the community. We have 4 goals that we are working toward this year:
1) EDUCATIONAL SERIES: We are planning an educational
series that will be free to the public in Kelley Park (where the
playground is). Our volunteer network is very skilled and diverse and
many have already committed to the series. It will be primarily aimed at
children 5-12. The schedule will tentatively include: musical
performances, art, outdoor education, science skills and literacy
education. We have 6 New York State Certified teachers in science and
special education who have volunteered to oversee the programming and
development.
2) BOOKMOBILE: We are working with the public library
on providing a “bookmobile” that will be available in conjunction with
our educational series. We are hoping this type of outreach will
encourage children to read more over the summer and encourage literacy.
3) PLAYGROUND MAINTENANCE: In an effort to continue
community pride and investment, we will be asking volunteers to help in
maintaining our beautiful new playground with volunteers to be scheduled
every 2 weeks to sweep, pick up micro-trash, rake the wood chips, etc.
4) HIGH SCHOOL BRANCH: Our group is looking to start a
FANs branch at the high school. We feel that this would benefit the
students, as well as the community, by instilling the spirit of
volunteerism as a life-long value.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? FANs continues to be run on an
all-volunteer basis with no employees or facilities. Our monetary needs
are not as great this year. We only need funds for very basic supplies,
photocopying costs and volunteer support. We are asking that you
consider donating to these programs that will prove to be invaluable to
our community. Please call me or e-mail me with any questions.
NEW MISSION: As community members, FANs aims to improve
daily life for our village and beyond. Our focus is on projects that are
public and inclusive in their development and execution. We aim to
harness the many talents and skills of our community through volunteer
opportunities. By doing so, those volunteers have the ability to improve
themselves and those around them. Together as volunteers we can make
things possible!
NEW VOLUNTEER RECRUITING EFFORTS: If you’d like to
continue to volunteer for FANs, please consider giving your time to the
following:
1) Sign up to help rake, pick up and sweep once this summer with your
friends and family for an hour or so.
2) If you have any special talent that could be used to help our planned
educational series such as music, art, science or other areas of
interest and would like to plan a class for our educational series, we
need it!
