|
|
Charging $20 per ticket, the Friends of Canton Football sold 1,150 tickets in a raffle that netted $16,500. The three prizes were a 50-inch plasma television, a $2,500 Stop & Shop gift certificate, and a $500 Mobil gas card.
"We were happy," said Karl Grabowski, president of the Friends of Canton Football. "We were targeting a thousand tickets."
The successful raffle brings the total dollars raised by the Friends of Canton Football to $42,000.
On Feb. 23, the Friends of Canton Football will present a detailed budget to the Canton Board of Education seeking final approval for the establishment of a football team at Canton High School commencing in the fall of 2006.
"We started the discussion for approval in June of 2005," said Grabowski. "We are pretty encouraged. We think we have the fundraising track record now. We have also secured a line of credit for $50,000."
The Canton Board of Education asked Friends of Canton Football to raise $82,000 by the spring of 2006.
"That was the financial goal for the first three years and beyond," said Grabowski. "Now we need to have a discussion with the Board of Education."
Friends of Canton Football have now established themselves as a 5013c, a formal non-profit designation allowing them to apply for grants and to receive tax-deductible donations.
"Our opinion is that we don't need to raise all the money up front," said Grabowski.
On Feb. 23, Grabowski will present a proposal to the Board of Education that will outline a zero budget impact to the Board of Education.
"We will not ask the Board of Education to make any financial commitment," said Grabowski. "We are asking them to sanction football and to get us in a league. We will carry the financial impact."
The Friends of Canton Football plan to continue fundraising with an annual golf tournament and other events, possibly another raffle.
Grabowski said the football program is expected to cost about $25,000 per year. Four coaches will be hired, two for varsity and two for junior varsity. Uniforms and equipment are expected to cost about $14,000, although a recent donation by Trinity College of football helmets and shoulder pads is expected to bring down the cost by $5,000.
"I think we have a pretty good story," said Grabowski. "We have most of the major issues covered. It is all bout opportunity. There are only two sports offered in the fall, soccer and cross-country. The town is getting bigger and a lot of kids are playing midget football. They have nowhere to play football. The town is ready for another fall sport."
