SOUTHWICK – Conserve North Pond supporters are currently in the midst of their latest fundraising projects.
On Oct. 5, supporters gathered at the North Pond headquarters on 491 College Hwy to stuff envelopes to the 600 and counting supporters of the CRC (Citizens Restoring Congamond).
CRC supporters include people who live on Congamond Lake, use the lake, vacation there, or have lived there in the past. While the North Pond supporters have mailed out a number of letters to people outside of Massachusetts, the majority of the letters are going to people in Southwick, Suffield, West Suffield, Granby, and Agawam.
The envelopes that were being stuffed, consisted of a letter from the North Pond supporters as well as Franklin Land Trust, reaching out to the CRC members and asking for their support and donations towards North Pond.
“We know we already have their interest and support of the lakes,” said Mary Lynn Sabourin, the Development Director at Franklin Land Trust.
Just a few weeks ago, Sabourin helped North Pond supporters mail out around 350 letters to lake abutters in Southwick as well as on the Connecticut line. Winding River Conservancy, a group in Westfield who has been helping the North Pond supporters, have also received letters being asked for support and donations.
Conserve North Pond supporters John Whalley and Dennis Clark are continuing their efforts to gain more matching sponsors and donations. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“It’s just a matter of reaching out to as many people as possible,” said Dave Gunn, a North Pond advocate. “We’re hoping they’ll contribute, make our job easier.”
As a lot of the focus has been put towards sending out letters to CRC supporters and lake abutters, the private donations have been just as important to help get closer to the goal of raising a total of $5 million by the spring of 2017.
According to Sabourin, updated on Oct. 3, there has been $13,353 in private donations.
John Whalley, who has spearheaded the matching sponsor campaign, has made the update that the four matching sponsors remain in Whalley Computer, Gristville Motors, The Southwick Inn, and Ralph Depalma.
Each of the four businesses or individuals donated $20,000 in order to become a matching sponsor.
Whalley is continuing to make strong efforts towards gaining more matching sponsors with the help of fellow North Pond advocate Dennis Clark.
“I’m still contacting people, Dennis (Clark) is still contacting people trying to get sponsorship,” said Whalley.
While the quest for matching sponsors is progressing, Sabourin and North Pond supporters have created another fundraising opportunity.
Coordinated by supporter Bob Asselin, the Save North Pond Golf tournament is taking place on Oct. 22 at Edgewood Golf Course in Southwick. The registration time starts at 10 a.m. and the shotgun start for play begins at 11 a.m.
The entry fee is $95 per person and includes the green fee, a golf cart, and a buffet dinner at Edgewood’s Fox Den Restaurant after the tournament concludes.
With the help of Sabourin and Franklin Land Trust, there is a sponsor and donation form for people registering for the tournament.
Sabourin announced that there are sponsors that are giving away prizes for certain contests. Curry Honda in Chicopee, is donating a free Honda to any participant who gets a hole in one. SCM Corrugating Machinery, Inc. is another sponsor.
Closest to the pin and longest drive are also contests that will be offered throughout the tournament. Winners of those contests will be receiving gift certificates to the Fox Den Restaurant.
According to Sabourin, between sponsors and players, close to $7,000 has been donated towards helping conserve North Pond.
Raffle prizes will also be offered. Golf apparel and equipment will be part of the raffle prizes.
Four day trips to Florida and Myrtle Beach have already been confirmed to be part of the silent auction.
“Were hoping for more businesses to donate to either the silent auction or raffle items,” said Sabourin.
For more information about the Save North Pond Golf Tournament or the donations towards North Pond, go to Save North Pond.org.
