Local banks, Lions Club among major donors The May 6 th Track-A-Thon at Mettner Field was a resounding success, not just according to organizers, but the numerous participants in attendance, and not just because the event generated nearly $20,000 once the proceeds were tallied, but because it generated interest in the track renovation effort in the form of a well-attended community event, an event many think should be held annually.
“It was nice to see our community come together to support this project,” said Lincoln PTCO member Sara Rosebrook, who took a break from working the concession stand at the Track-A-Thon to join her husband and children in the family-fun mixed 400-meter relay. “The Track-A-Thon was a fun event enjoyed by multiple generations.”
Registered teams for the event raised more than $15,000 from pledges to walkers and together with the donation bucket ($474.27), merchandise sales ($1,040) and proceeds from the Lincoln PTCO Concession Stand ($1,059) the final tally from the event was just under $20,000 with more proceeds still being collected. Along with generous major donations from The Bank of Tescott ($5,000 for each of the next three years), Citizens State Bank & Trust Co. ($5,000 in 2023), the Lincoln Lions Club ($5,000), a $50,000 pledge to be paid over the next three years by an anonymous donor and committee members achieving the $80,000 goal generated a $40,000 match of Lincoln County ARPA funds, the track renovation fundraising effort heads into the summer with over $250,000 in total cash and pledges.
“The Track-A-Thon and incredible major donations from the local banks and Lions Club, along with individual donations big and small, has the committee set-up to make a push to achieve our goal of $500,000 by the end of the year,” fundraising committee member Jim Metz said. “It is really fantastic to see everyone get behind this effort. It’s important to preserve this facility for our community.”
BOE considers expanded donor recognition When the USD #298 Track Fundraising Committee launched this effort nearly three years ago, committee members agreed on donor recognition levels with track and field competition in mind.
Donations of $500 to $999 earn Bronze recognition, $1000 to $4,999 earn Silver recognition, $5,000 to $9,999 grabs the Gold, while $10,000 to $24,999 nets Platinum recognition and $25,000 and up is considered Diamond level.
Initially these recognition levels were focused primarily on signage on the north exterior wall o the fieldhouse at Mettner Field, but the overwhelming success of the fundraising effort thus far has committee members and school leaders in agreement that additional donor recognition options are needed.
At their May meeting the USD #298 Board of Education discussed those options, with metal signage equipped to add donor names (a potential student project), scoreboard signage, banners to hang on the Mettner Field fence, and advertising on the basketball scoring table are among suggestions board members supported most.
As committee members continue to approach donors and apply for grants to reach the $500,000 goal donor recognition details will take shape.
For more information contact any committee member, or message us on Facebook at the USD #298 Track Fundraising Committee page. The committee can also take donations online at https://givebutter. com/tz4vyw.
