ALLIANCE – This April marks the beginning of the Alliance Rec Center’s Make More Possible annual giving campaign. This month, the ARC is raising funds to address the rising demand for ARC AfterSchool, to update the weight room with space-saving equipment and continue funding financial aid efforts for ARC AfterSchool tuition and facility membership. To date, the 2022 Make More Possible campaign has raised $39,000 of their $76,000 goal.
“We know quality afterschool programing is critical for working parents, for children, and for strong communities long-term,” explains Mara Andersen, executive director of the Alliance Rec Center. ARC AfterSchool began in 2018 with 8 students and has grown to 60 students during the summer months. Despite growing at least one classroom each school year, Andersen notes the program maintains a waiting list of at least 15 students. “Expanding classroom capacity means we can serve more children and build the strong minds our future depends upon,” Andersen says. Importantly, addressing capacity through facility construction will not impact any space available to facility members. “We maximize space at the ARC so our opportunity to meet the rising demand for ARC AfterSchool doesn’t come at a space cost for our members,” says Andersen.
In fact, reaching the 2022 Make More Possible annual giving campaign goal includes upgrading weight room equipment that addresses current space concerns. “Because of last years’ campaign success, we expanded our weight room offerings,” shares Andersen. Last years’ campaign funded a new 24-hr cardio room, purchased new equipment, as well as addressed temperature control gaps. “This year, our campaign’s goal to purchase additional space-saving weight room equipment will further maximize the current footprint of the building and give members access to the quality equipment they need to build strength not only for themselves, but in long-term community health,” shares Andersen. Plans for future facility expansion are also underway in partnership with Chelsie Herian of Box Butte Development Corp. and the Rural Prosperity and Placemaking Team of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
As a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving the community for 40 years, the Alliance Rec Center strives to keep membership and programs affordable. “With operational costs like insurance and utilities exceeding $50,000 annually,” explains Andersen, “we write grants, form partnerships, and host our annual giving campaign to ensure the ARC has the necessary tools to address our community’s needs.” Offering financial aid for ARC AfterSchool tuition and facility membership ensures all members of the community have a safe place to build healthier lives. “Our foundational mission is ‘putting the unity in community,’ and that starts with ensuring every citizen has access to recreation and programs that build healthy minds, bodies, and spirits,” says Andersen.
Every dollar donated helps accomplish the 2022 Make More Possible Annual Giving Campaign goals. “There’s power in every giving level. What started with $5 turned into ARC Park last year,” says Andersen, “Your donation this year will help the ARC continue to build strong minds, strong bodies, and ultimately, a strong community now and in the future.”
Donations of any amount can be made via Venmo, PayPal, in person at the ARC, with an ARC board member, or mailed to: Alliance Rec Center at PO Box 602 Alliance, NE 69301. Online giving opportunities can also be found at www.AllianceRecCenter.com and on Facebook @alliancereccenter. The Alliance Rec Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization making all donations tax-deductible.