|
By: Christine Stopka (Professor), Sharon Barak, and Hee Sun Jun
(graduate students in exercise therapy & adapted physical education);
University of Florida
Clearly, it can be quite challenging to try to establish a new
program, or improve upon an existing one, when sufficient funds,
personnel, equipment, facilities, transportation, and publicity
are lacking. Therefore the following information is being presented
to offer some suggestions to address these needs. Hopefully, at
least a few in each category, can be used, or adapted, to assist
virtually anyone in any school based, recreational, or similar settings.
The reader is urged to secure any needed permissions before adopting
these ideas. (NOTE: The categories of funding and equipment will
be covered in Part One. Part Two will cover the categories of equipment
and facilities. Part Three will cover transportation, publicity
and additional resources for help).
Securing needed funds.
-Student fund raising - with guidance and permission, students
can run raffles, car washes, bake sales, candy sales, peanuts, popcorn,
wrapping paper, tee-shirts, and more. Selling coupons for discounts
at various businesses such as pizza coupons, department store coupons,
and more, is becoming a popular way to secure funds while assisting
local businesses, and still offering the customer a good deal. Students
can help with recycling of items such as aluminum cans, as well
as plastic or glass bottles. Recycling centers usually pay money
by weight of the recycled product. Students can put on fund raising
races and carnivals, which, after some experience, can be quite
lucrative.
-Corporate Sponsors – The above businesses offering the coupons
may be just the ones to approach to serve as corporate sponsors
for your school, club, or organization.
Parent Organizations - Active PTAs and PTOs can provide invaluable
financial support to academics, athletics and the arts, at their
respective schools. Specific parental run Boosters organizations
are established to support a specific need (such as sport boosters
clubs, band boosters, and more).
Community Organizations – Philanthropic, community organizations
such as the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Lions Club, the Shriners,
various Women’s Clubs, as well as the local Elk or Moose Clubs,
and much more, exist to help individuals in need, especially children.
Boards of Directors of local YMCAs and Girls and Boys Clubs function
to raise money for their programs.
-Grant writing - although often frustrating, once the appropriate
funding source is identified for the program in need; this avenue
can be quite rewarding. Although state and national grant applications
are encouraged; often the local community is the best place to start.
The district and even school may have mini-grants worth looking
into. Local grocery stores have foundations dedicated to supporting
their local community; a brief letter-type proposal may often result
in a gift of several thousand dollars; many of which are given on
a yearly basis!
Securing needed personnel:
-local colleges and universities – are loaded with students appreciating
the opportunity to volunteer or perform required, clinical, practical,
or internship hours.
-high school students – students from your own high school setting
(or your local high school if you are not at a high school setting)
would appreciate the opportunity to help your program as a function
of their service club, or for individual volunteer hours.
-peer tutors – this source of personnel is a particularly invaluable
one. The “tutors” are right there at you site or school; the one-on-one
assistance is extremely helpful for the child being helped; and
the experience is often life-changing for the tutor as they learn
how important they can be in enhancing another person’s life.
- senior citizens – many communities have quite a resource in
this regard; many senior citizens are quite experienced, capable
and willing to help in any way they can. In turn, it helps them
enjoy a reason for living, which results in an increased quality,
and often duration, of life for them.
-parents – some parents are free and willing to help and can be
available by simply asking for their assistance.
-community organizations- both youth based such as scouts and
religious youth groups; as well as adult based philanthropic organizations
(mentioned in the funding section above) can all be of incredible
help, even for special events like field days, games and sports
for children with disabilities, and much more.
Note to the reader: In upcoming issues; Part Two will cover the
categories of equipment and facilities. Part Three will cover transportation,
publicity and additional resources for help).
|
