A Note to Say Thank You

funding source through an extensive application process. One criteria of many grant applications is a requirement that the applicant provide a match to the requested amount. This match generally ranges from 25% to 100% of total desired funding. In other words, if the City requests $100,000 to finance a project, a City match of $25,000 to $100,000 is required. Most grant funding sources allow the applicant to match the requested amount through what is referred to as donated or in-kind services. The applicant determines the value of donated materials, labor and services based on current standard labor rates and material costs and can apply this value towards its local match. So, unless the applicant is cash rich, great emphasis is placed on obtaining the donations of services, labor and materials for the desired project through the assistance of local citizens.

A grant writer is only as good as the resources which are made available to him/her. So, as a grant writer, I could submit the most compelling grant application containing an abundance of valid reasons justifying the award of whatever funds are requested, but without a viable local match, the application becomes moot. This is where the importance of the local match should be emphasized. Although Lake Helen citizens may enjoy quarreling politically amongst themselves, there are many citizens in town who are to be admired and respected for their unmitigated desire to assist the City in its grant securing efforts.

There are several local contractors whom I can depend upon on a continual basis for their philanthropic nature. Rick Basso has been a constant force in his desire to assist the City in its pursuit of grant money over the past several years. He has continually offered his company’s services to the City in an effort to meet the necessary local match to the grant request. Tony Troy has been another positive force with his largesse of services and materials offered to the City in its pursuit of grant funds. Lou Benton is fairly new to my list of contractors to pester in my efforts to meet the City’s local match. However fresh his presence may be on my list of benefactors, he has made up for in willpower. Lou has not only offered his services as a local match to both the equestrian multi-use facility grant and the Hopkins Hall restoration grant, but has offered to oversee the construction of the Lake Macy Park restroom facilities which received funding last year through the FRDAP program. Chuck Locklin, although new to this process, can also be heavily relied upon for the donation of his contracting services.

Mayor Shuttleworth also must he noted for his continual financial support of City projects. He is not just a proponent to spending reasonable City funds for viable projects, but also donating his own private enterprise funds in support of City projects. It is not unusual for the Mayor to exclaim, “You need how much?”, before willingly offering his company’s services and materials to assist in the procurement of grant funds.
Mike and Sonni Stover have continually proven their perpetual good citizenship nature in support of City grants and other influential City programs. Mike and Sonni have been stalwart in their efforts to assist the community in any capacity, whether it is in the form of financial or personal services. Sonni’s assistance in the development of the equestrian multi-use facility grant application was deeply appreciated.
Ariel Echols, who likes to maintain a low profile, has also been extremely helpful in the donation of her architectural design services. She works well on last minute notice without complaint and provides the City with valuable designs for potential projects at minimal cost to the City.
Alan Cooke of ABC Excavating, Larry Smith of LCS Electric, Tony Spaziani of Seldom Seen Construction, James Evans of Evans Well Drilling, Joel Bohm, electrician, Pat Chadwick, editor of The City Observer and the City’s own Rick Mullen are also to be admired for their willingness and ability to support the City’s efforts to acquire grant funding for various City projects.

Oscar Brock, although seemingly mild-mannered in nature, is dynamic in his ability to accomplish certain tasks. He single-handedly organized the City Hall Restoration volunteer effort in order to meet the terms of the City’s local match requirements for the Phase I state grant for the building. He also was extremely helpful in the development of the City’s museum grant application request for funds totaling approximately $30,000. Oscar has offered to serve as Museum Curator when funds for the development of the City’s museum on the first floor of City Hail are received. Although the City was unsuccessful in its first request for museum funding, an application will be submitted during the next cycle submission period for that particular grant. Never say die.

The Parks and Recreation Board has also demonstrated strong support for the grant process. Barbara Snowden, Betty O’Laughlin, Jane Crenshaw and other Board members are providing a great service to the City. It is nice to observe a City Board taking such a proactive approach to the City’s wellbeing under the strong leadership of Ms. Snowden.

James Morris and the Lake Helen Little League and Karen Crawford and the West Volusia Saddle Club should also be thanked for donating labor towards various projects in an effort to assist with securing grants for the City. Both groups are comprised of dedicated individuals who realize that hard work builds a strong base. Their willingness to assist in this way has contributed greatly to the City’s ability to meet its local match in acquiring grant funding.

On a more personal note, I want to express my sincerest appreciation to all those individuals and groups who have offered their assistance is some fashion to help me in the grant writing process. The fact that there are so many people in Lake Helen who are willing to volunteer their efforts should speak to the magnanimous community spirit of its citizens. So the next time a miasma of negativity permeates throughout the town over an issue of overblown magnitude, please remember all the positive power that can be generated through the goodwill of Lake Helen’s citizens.