Friends of the Park receives donation from Duke Energy

Friday, March 5, 2010
Friends of the Park Director Diana Gorrell accepts a $500 donation from Duke Energy Area Manager of Community Relations and Economic Development Steve Bahr as Duke employees Cay Sibbitt and Kathy Vanlandingham look on.

RUSSELVILLE -- Friends of the Park got a boost from Duke Energy with a recent $500 donation to their summer program.

FotP provides a free Summer Fun in the Sun programs and other events at community parks in Roachdale, Bainbridge and Russellville.

The non-profit charitable organization raises funds for the program by hosting the Blast from the Past festival and through donations. Approximately 100 kids take part in the programs.

Besides the summer program, the group also has a Fathers Day cookout and car show at Roachdale, an End of Summer Luau in Russellville and Red Ribbon Day and Fall Finale in Roachdale.

"To continue with the free programs, FotP needs volunteers as well as money. Our goal is to work closely with town councils and park boards to provide summer programs and to help improve the parks," said FotP President Dianna Gorrell.

According to Gorrell, the summer program is designed to provide a way for kids to interact together throughout the summer in a controlled atmosphere and at the same time learn the values of working together and getting along.

The Red Ribbon event takes place during National Red Ribbon Week when kids learn about the dangers of drugs. Kids taking part in the FotP project even pick a police officer to receive an Outstanding Service Award.

The group's newest fundraising endeavor includes renting space outside the Bainbridge Community Center to vendors during the Covered Bridge Festival in October.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the group can mail it to Friends of the Park, PO Box 162, Russellville, IN 46175. For more information about the organization, contact Dianna Gorrell, 435-2813 or visit their Web site at www.friendsoftheparkrussellville.org.

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