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player ready...The Batavia Riverwalk Committee has raised more than $21,000 through donations, cookbook sales and its recent auction.
And though organizers of the volunteer project say any amount they raise is good news, the chairperson of fundraising said the group will have to continue working hard to meet its financial goals this year.
“We got a great response from the community,” said Britta McKenna, who leads the committee’s fundraising and publicity efforts. “The goal is always to raise as much money as possible.”
The auction of 235 donated goods and services raised an estimated $10,675; 1993’s auction brought in about $12,000. McKenna said the difference was last year’s auction featured two trips to Puerto Vallarta donated by a local travel agent.
“We just didn’t have the kinds of things that brought in bids of $500 and more,” she said.
The rest of the funds raised came from sales of a cookbook containing recipes donated by members of the community and from a $10,000 donation from First Chicago Bank.
The third summer construction season is set to begin Saturday with the laying of bricks engraved with the names of people who donated money to help build the riverwalk park at Houston Street and Island Avenue north of downtown Batavia.
Last month, committee leaders said the group’s construction budget needs to raise an additional $250,000 this year in order to stay on schedule.
People wishing to donate are being given the option of paying from $50 to $4,500 to sponsor the installation of of bricks and scenic overlooks.