Community Center fundraiser raises $62,000

Despite a smaller than usual turnout, the Cheyenne County Community Center's annual fundraiser still managed to net the center around $62,000 in contributions.

"Overall, I was very pleased with how the fundraiser went," said Mike Namuth, the center's director. "It just goes to show, again everyone's willingness to support this facility on an annual basis and whenever needed."

The fundraiser, which took place April 5 at Buffalo Point, featured a silent auction, social hour, recognition for the center's supporter of the year as well as a presentation from Kids Plus, a local organization that provides youth scholarships to kids who can't afford registration fees for the center's various leagues.

In the past, the supporter of the year was usually awarded to someone who helped get the center off the ground in the early years or who donated large amounts of money to the foundation. This year, the board recognized long-time community center employee Bev Sonntag, currently the facility's administrative assistant. Sonntag began working at the center in 1992.

"So they went that route to show the support of longevity in her employment and just her overall good nature of being there whenever needed as an employee and just being a supporter of the community center, doing whatever it takes to make this place operate," Namuth said.

The 112 attendees of last weekend's fundraiser could bid on around 30 live auction items and around 50 silent auction items.

Some items for auction included Broncos tickets, a baseball bat signed by Todd Helton and a helmet signed by John Elway.

During the nine years that the center has held a yearly fundraiser, it has collected more than $500,000 in contributions. This year's effort was among the top five earning years.

All money raised at the yearly event goes to the foundation which owns and operates the center.

"This is owned and operated by a private foundation," Namuth said. "A lot of people may not know that in town, they may just think that it's a government entity, but we're not."

In the past, the center used the money for specific projects. This year, the center will use some of the funds to replace boilers and hot water heaters, as well as the associated infrastructure. One of the center's boilers recently failed.

"In the past it's allowed us to continually upgrade our cardio equipment, our weight equipment, we've been able to put a rubberized surface on our walking track, we've been able to resurface the gym floor," Namuth said.

These funds have also allowed the center to expand its daycare three times in previous years. Although those at the center always hope to earn enough in revenue to pay all the bills, the money raised at the fundraiser contributes to unexpected expenses and updates.

"It helps, number one, peace of mind for myself, knowing that if something major does happen that we have the funds available," Namuth said. "On an annual basis it helps us to do specific projects that we have in mind for upgrading the facility."

The extra funds also go toward machine up-keep and building maintenance.

"This building is busy," Namuth said.

More than 150,000 people utilized the community center last year.

Namuth expressed gratitude to all those who support the community center including businesses and individuals who donated items for the auction.

"It's just building the foundation," Namuth said. "That was our whole goal was to build the foundation to build some monies into it so eventually we would not have to worry about funds."