Donations have included: $5,000 from the Arkay Foundation; $15,000 from Educational Testing Service; $30,000 from Janssen, L.P.; and two "field-naming" donations of $50,000
By Ruth Luse
The Recreation Foundation of Hopewell Valley sponsored a brunch at the Athletic Fields at Timberlane on Sunday. Donors gathered under a tent and heard the music of a Chamber Ensemble from Hopewell Valley Central High School. The event was held to celebrate the announcement of five major gifts totaling $150,000.
Sheryl Stone and Brad Brewster, foundation trustees, welcomed everyone and gave an overview of where the project started, what has been accomplished and the possibilities for the future.
Donations included: $5,000 from the Arkay Foundation; $15,000 from Educational Testing Service, acknowledged by Eleanor Horne, vice president of Social Investment Activities; $30,000 from Janssen, L.P.; and two "field-naming" donations of $50,000.
The first was presented by Rebecca Taylor, senior director of corporate affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb (B-MS), for the Bristol-Myers Squibb Field. The second was announced and presented by Hopewell Valley Community Bank Chairman and Recreation Foundation trustee Pat Ryan, who made the announcement of a $50,000 naming gift for The Ryan Family Field on behalf of his family.
Mr. Ryan was accompanied by his mother Kathryn Ryan, his wife Mika Ryan, who is chairwoman of the Mercer Sports Organizing Committee, and daughters Kate, Molly and Megan.
The Ryans’ gift put the Recreation Foundation over the top of its fundraising goal of $212,799 set last fall to construct three additional fields (Phase III) at the Athletic Fields at Timberlane.
Following the announcement Ms. Taylor and the Ryan Family each were presented with a bouquet and a copy of a resolution read by Linda Mitchell, president of the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education.
The field project is a collaborative effort involving the school district, recreational leagues and organizations in the community represented by the Recreation Foundation and municipal government. It is a unique public and private partnership that was created to provide opportunities for positive youth development and to respond to the tremendous need for recreational facilities in Hopewell Valley.
According to a spokeswoman, "major gifts, including field-naming gifts received since the fall in addition to monies raised from individuals via direct mail and the Fall Ball have enabled the foundation to finish funding Phase III of the project, which will complete three new fields in addition to the two fields already in play."
The foundation also has received a challenge grant of $40,000 from the Hopewell Valley Soccer Association, and hope that with in-kind donations from Trap Rock Industries, Hopewell Township and Hopewell Borough, the parking lot can be completed. The soccer group kicked off Phase III fundraising last fall with a $45,000 gift, Ms. Stone said Tuesday.
Brunch was catered by Something Special of Trenton.

