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Home My WebLink About2009-02-23 09-089 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION Item No. 09, 089 Date: 2/23/2009 Item/Subject: Order, Authorizing Support for the Camp Bangor Program in an amount not to exceed $415 Responsible Department: City Council Commentary: Camp Bangor is a Libra Foundation funded program that provides scholarships for every student in 4th to 6th grade in the Bangor public schools to attend the Maine summer camp(s) of their choice. An annual Camp Fair, sponsored by Camp Bangor, allows students and their families the opportunity to review many different camp options at one time. The program also holds an annual Citywide Clean Up in which a majority of City parks are cleaned by children who receive these scholarships. City support for this program has been an important element of the Libra Foundation's continuing involvement. Last year, more than 300 children and parents participated in the citywide cleanup. In 2008, the Libra Foundation distributed nearly $580,000 in scholarships on behalf of Bangor students. Of that amount, half went directly to Bangor organizations. The City has provided financial support to this program in the past, including the purchase of t - shirts for campers, reduced rental rates at the Civic Center, and financial support for the barbeque that takes place immediately after the citywide cleanup. Over the years, United Way, the program's organizer, has obtained other funding for the t -shirts and the Civic Center rental. For the last three years, the only support requested from the City has been for the barbeque portion of the event. Department Head Manager's Comments: The City's strong support for this program was essential in Bangor's initial selection as one of the three Cities participating in it. This request was reviewed by the Finance Committee on February aU18th, and the Committee unanimously recommends approval. && City Manager Associated Information: Memo Reviewing Request and related application Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for X Passage First Reading Referral &D� &� finance Director Page _ of _ City Solicitor 09 089 Assigned to Councilor Hawes February 23, 2009 CITY OF BANGOR rED,RAS FE6' (TITLE.) Order, Authorizing Support of the Camp Bangor Program in an Amount not to Exceed $415 ORDERED, That the expenditure of up to $415 in existing budgeted funds within the City Council budget is hereby authorized in support of the Camp Bangor Program for expenses related to the barbecue following the annual City-wide clean up event. IN CITY COUNCIL February 23, 2009 Pa ed # 09=089 O R D R R ITY CLERK (TITLE,) Authorizing Support of the Camp Bangor Program in the Amount not to Exceed $415.000 Assigned to Councilor NON-PROFIT FUNDING REQUEST SPECIAL PROJECTS 2009 Date: February 5, 2009 09 089 Organization Name: United Way of Eastern Maine/Camp Bangor Request for: io`h annual City Wide Clean Up. Total Amount Requested: $41s.00 for The -City Wide Clean Up & BBQ: i. Briefly describe the special project or program for which funding is requested. Camp Bangor is a the Libra Foundation funded program that provides United Way with the extraordinary opportunity to furnish every 4`h 4' grade student in the Bangor public schools with a scholarship to use at the Maine summer camp(s) of their choice. The Libra Foundation offers $500 to students currently enrolled in a Bangor Public School, grades four, five or six. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the school department's good citizenship guidelines and perform community service. As part of the scholarship program, we help to coordinate the Bangor City Wide Clean Up. We work closely with the City of Bangor public works and parks and recreation departments as well as Bangor Beautiful to hold a Citywide Cleanup in the spring to get the city's parks ready for summertime use and help the students meet their community service requirement. The City of Bangor has generously helped to fund the Barbeque Celebration portion of this event and we once again respectfully request financial support. z. Please provide information on the number ofindividuals who will directly benefit from the project orprogram, including the number of Banffor residents. Last year, more than 300 children and parents on a beautiful May day participated in cleaning more than 13 city parks and schoolyards as part of the Citywide Cleanup and barbecue. 3. Please provide information on the total cost of the project and program and other sources offunding already available or which are anticipated to be raised. The Libra Foundation provides the funding for the scholarship program and a percentage of the administrative costs with in-kind support from the United Way. For the past 9 years, The City of Bangor sponsored the Citywide Cleanup. This event is truly a community wide supported event. Bangor Beautiful donates trash bags and gloves for the Cleanup. Pepsi Bottling Company in Hampden donates some of the beverages and other organizations discount many of the items needed. Penobscot JobCorps students help prepare food and serve at the Barbecue. This year, we ask the City of Bangor to continue to support the City Wide Clean Up & Barbecue estimated at $415.00. This funding request not only helps us to cover costs associated with the City Wide Clean up and BBQ, but also demonstrate to The Libra Foundation the appreciation and support of the City of Bangor. 4. Specify and, to the extent possible, quantify the benefits which the City of Bangor or its residents, taken as a whole, may anticipate receiving from the project or program. The Camp Bangor program provides extraordinary summer experiences to many children who otherwise would not have such opportunities. Instead of Bangor children spending their summer days at home, unsupervised or without structured activities, a majority of 4" - 6th grade students will enjoy learning new skills, meeting youth and counselors from other parts of the state, country and world, increasing their own abilities and talents and experiencing brand new opportunities. Principals and teachers report that the program has been a useful tool to motivate students. Many parents have told us that their child returns from camp with a new maturity. Most impressive is that the Camp Bangor Scholarship Program distributed more than $58o,000 into Maine's economy last year, almost half of that directed to Bangor organizations including the Bangor Parks and Recreation program, Husson University, the Maine Discovery Museum, Penobscot Theatre and Bangor Y. Since the scholarship program began in the summer of 2000, The Libra Foundation has invested more than 5.6 million dollars into Bangor Public School Children, ensuring their opportunity to have new and enriching summer experiences. The City Wide Clean Up provides an opportunity for Bangor youth to both fulfill their community service required by the scholarship as well as give back to their community in a very hands on way. 5. Please attach any other information that you feel would be helpful in evaluating this request or provide this information in the space below. As mentioned above, many Bangor children, families and businesses benefit from this program thanks to the generosity of the Libra Foundation. We appreciate any support the City of Bangor is able to contribute. As one of only three cities in the state of Maine fortunate enough to have this program, the sponsorship of the Citywide Cleanup & Barbecue go a long way toward making the most of our Libra Foundation summer camp scholarship grant. Thank you for your consideration and support. Name of Authorized Representative: Sara M. Yasner Address: 24 Springer Drive, Ste. 2oi, Bangor, ME 04401 Telephone: 941-2800, ext. 212 EMail: sarayounitedwayem.org Upon receipt of this request, it will be forwarded to the members of the City Council for their review. If, within seven days, three or more members of the Council indicate that they are interested in considering the request, it will be forwarded to the Finance Committee for its consideration and recommendation. lfrecommended by Finance, a final decision on funding will be made by the full City Council. Applicants will be notified of the date and time of the Finance Committee meeting if less than three members of the Council indicate that they are interested in considering the request, the applicant will be notified that the request will not be considered. Councilor Signatures (three signatures are required in order for this request to proceed) 2 United Way of Eastern Maine 2009 Camp Bangor City Wide Clean Up and BBQ Budget Sponsors: United Way, City of Bangor, Bangor Beautiful Event: City Wide Clean Up Date: May 2009 Purpose: To clean the City parks and school yards and provide a community service activity for children & families participating in the Camp Bangor Scholarship Program. ** The decrease estimated request is based on the Camp Bangor Scholarship Program providing for 4 -6th grade students only - a 1/4th decrease in students participating in CWC from past years. 00 10 Expenses Estimated Actual Estimated Actual 2009 2008 2008 2007 Hot dogs and Hamburgers $150.00 $199.20 $22S.00 $201.15 Rolls, ice condiments, supplies, extra beverages etc... $6o.00 $81.87 $120.00 $88.21 Beverages -so cases donated by Pepsi $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Chips -donated by Chartwell's $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Grit[ rental $155-00 $151-15 $16 oo $151.15 Porta Potty $50-00 $ 0.00 $6o.00 $5o.00 Activities costs $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Requested payment for City Wide Clean Up 2oo8 1$4'15.00 1$482.22 1$570.00 $y90.51 ** The decrease estimated request is based on the Camp Bangor Scholarship Program providing for 4 -6th grade students only - a 1/4th decrease in students participating in CWC from past years. 00 10