The Park City Booster Club discussed fundraising ideas and set goals for the upcoming school year at its meeting last week.
According to Booster Club President Doug Payne, this is looking like a good year for the club.
“We’ve already approved about $3,000 to $4,000 in grant money for lacrosse, hockey and girls soccer who have already applied,” Payne said.
Payne said as president, he wants to continue with student scholarships. The Booster Club will be accepting applications this year from senior tri-athletes. They plan to award one student with a $1,000 scholarship. A tri-athlete is a student participating in one sport per season throughout the school year.
The Booster Club also sponsored an exhibit in the high school’s front hallway, which displays team pictures and individual photos of all the senior athletes.
Payne replaced former Booster Club President Debbi Bessembinder, who stepped down from the role this summer.
The Booster Club’s Media Director Scott Chester, said Bessembinder has served as the club’s president since 2006 and contributed to its growth and success.
“The Booster Club has grown dramatically since 2006 because of Debbi. She really kept it together. She was the driving force behind that,” Chester said.
Last year, the Booster Club raised more than $23,000 in grants that went towards the school’s athletic teams.
“It costs a lot of money to play sports. The teams need money throughout the year and we’re there to support that,” he said.
According to Chester, the club requires the athletic teams to fundraise if they apply for grants. Athletic teams are also encouraged to sell brick pavers for the schools “Pathway to Excellence” sidewalk in co-op with the Booster Club. Teams will receive 50 percent of the profits.
“We aren’t an ATM or a bank or the government that gives money away for nothing. We have criteria and we won’t assist if the kids aren’t out there raising money for their cause,” he said.
The Booster Club raises money by offering membership packages for individuals and families. An individual membership costs $30 and includes access to all the athletic games. A family membership costs $130 or $200 for a family membership and a brick paver.
The Booster Club refined its partnerships with local businesses to encourage sponsorships this year. Businesses that sponsor a team will also receive a poster for additional advertising.
“We’re trying really hard for the businesses to have more of a presence. We want to see the businesses get business out of it,” he said.
Chester said the budget fluctuates yearly, but they usually receive between $8,000 and $9,000 in membership fees and additional revenue from the “Pathway to Excellence” sales.
“We’ve raised a lot of money over the years through the pavers program and the memberships.” Chester added, “We like having some money saved up at the end of the year to be able to assist in some bigger projects.”
Membership applications are available in the high school’s main office or for more information contact Scott Chester at (435) 901-4330.