Community Center Communiqué – September 2016
The Jacksonville Community Center train is leaving the station: The City Planning Commission and HARC have given their unanimous approval to the project; building permits are just a few weeks from being granted; visibility for the community center is increasing; and a major campaign to raise donations from individuals and businesses is under way. Dozens of residents attended the Open House in late July including Councilors Garcia, Lewis and Wall. We are grateful to all of the local businesses that donated items for the silent auction and to the residents that bid on them.
We now have another partner and supporter to announce—Ray’s Food Place in Jacksonville. “The Blue Bag Project is a no brainer for us,” says Ray’s Store Manager, John Rentz, “It’s good for the community, for the environment and great for the Jacksonville Community Center.” Organized by Sandy Metwally, no stranger to Jacksonville community projects, the Blue Bag Project supplies blue plastic bags for recycling deposit cans and bottles. These bags are available at Ray’s in Jacksonville and all proceeds will go directly to fund the building of the Jacksonville Community Center.
Sandy says, “The Blue Bag Project is another good way to bring the community together and a painless way to provide funds for the Jacksonville Community Center. I envision the community center to be bustling with activities throughout the year.” The community center activities could include well-baby clinics, performing and visual arts classes for kids, club meetings, tutoring, teen activities, and adult classes. The Great Room could be used for events such as medium-sized conferences and meetings, as well as music recitals, dance performances, class reunions, and family events such as showers and wedding receptions. Further, it can serve as the staging area for events such as local parades and historic education.
Pick up your blue bag from the Customer Service Counter at Ray’s. Once it is full with deposit cans and bottles, drop it back off at Ray’s and pick up another bag. Every bit helps.