Pellegrini seeks relief funding for Kettleby Fair : King Weekly Sentinel : https://kingsentinel.com

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Pellegrini seeks relief funding for Kettleby Fair

By Angela Gismondi
and Mark Pavilons

King Township wants to ensure that local volunteer events continue, and it's willing to put its money where its mouth is.
Mayor Steve Pellegrini asked staff Sept. 23 whether the Township's community grants account has been exhausted.
He proposed the Township find some funding to help a community group in need – the Kettleby Fair. He explained the fair, which has been rained out two years in a row, has lost more than $13,000 over past two years.
The fair committee lost $6,000 when they cancelled the fair in 2012 (the first time in its history), but this year they decided to go ahead with the fair, despite the pouring rain. That cost the committee $7,000.
“Last year they worked diligently to pay everything off,” said Pellegrini. “This year they ran the fair in the pouring rain which incurred more costs.”
At the end of the day, the fair committee finds itself with a $2,900 shortfall, Pellegrini explained.
He suggested that if the money can't be found in the grants fund, perhaps money can be taken from the proceeds from the mayor's golf tournament. The tournament raises funds to help community groups in need.
“They've lost $13,000 over the past two years and they're only asking for $3,000,” said Pellegrini. “You can't predict the weather. We've got to look into this.”
Carol Ann Trabert, one of the main organizers of the fair, said they need to not only pay off their current $3,000 debt, but raise another $4,000 so they can start off preparing for next year's fair with some cash flow.
The loss would have been even greater, Trabert pointed out, had it not been for the many participants who waived or reduced their fees. That shows their commitment to this community.
The bad luck has not only depleted the fair committee reserves, but those of the main supporter, the Kettleby Village Association.
The mandate of the fair is to provide a venue for local community groups to raise money for their causes. The small event is not a registered charity, so they are not eligible for many types of government funding, but Trabert is trying to persuade the feds to find some money.
One would think such bad fortune would take the wind of the volunteers' sails. No so, according to Trabert. She said a post-event committee meeting revealed all the volunteers are ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and work on next year's event.

Excerpt: King Township wants to ensure that local volunteer events continue, and it’s willing to put its money where its mouth is.

Post date: 2013-10-01 14:55:40
Post date GMT: 2013-10-01 18:55:40
Post modified date: 2013-10-08 15:43:48
Post modified date GMT: 2013-10-08 19:43:48