Donations sought for after-school programs

Donations sought for
after-school programs
Jamesburg schools
need $23,000 to keep
activities available
BYSETHMANDEL
Staff Writer

JAMESBURG — The borough is seeking donations to help save the town’s after-school sports programs.

The fund-raising efforts are being spearheaded by Mayor Anthony LaMantia, who has enlisted the help of local corporations as well as the Jamesburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

"We’re mailing out letters to corporate companies to help sponsor [the sports programs]," LaMantia said.

LaMantia also plans to have street vendors at the Tonkery Street Festival and Cruise Nights, two local summer events. The vendors would occupy booths at which passers-by could donate money to the cause. The next Cruise Night, which features classic cars and a deejay, will take place this Friday night.

In addition to the vendors, LaMantia said the PTA will have a booth as well.

"We’re not saying what it is yet, because it’s going to be something funny and interesting for the kids," said LaMantia, who praised the PTA for its efforts.

"The PTA is involved in it very deeply," LaMantia said. "They’ve been doing it for the last couple of years along with some other help."

According to borough Zoning Officer Bernie Long, LaMantia’s enthusiasm toward the fund raising will encourage others to get involved as well.

"He’s really putting his heart into this," Long said. "It bothered him that there wasn’t the money for this and he just dove right in. That gets infectious. People see somebody really throwing their heart into something, they’re more willing to help out."

The after-school sports programs include the girls and boys basketball and soccer teams at the John F. Kennedy and Grace M. Breckwedel schools.

"It’s very important," Long said of the sports programs. "It gives the kids something constructive to do."

The school needs to raise about $23,000 for the programs to continue, since the 2004-05 school budget does not include the funding for the programs.

"In small communities, the tax burdens are very hard on the taxpayers, and the school did a very good job on the budgets," said LaMantia, adding that the "number one" priority is education.

LaMantia said that although the school board echoes the town’s desire for after-school sports programs, the members wanted the school to try, if possible, to raise the needed funds "through other sources."

Both Long and LaMantia are hopeful that enough money will be raised.

"Once he [LaMantia] gets involved with something, it works," Long said.

LaMantia is also encouraged by the attitudes of the local residents, who have all been eager to help.

"The community as a whole — the parents, the PTA, the school board, the administration, my office, my council — are all working together to keep the programs going," LaMantia said.

Anyone interested in volunteering to operate a donation booth can contact borough offices at (732) 521-2222. LaMantia can be contacted at the borough office, ext. 111.

All donations are to be made out to the Jamesburg PTA.