Friday, June 25, 2004

Rec District celebrates donation

Rinker Foundation founding member of Dream Builder Society

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By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

The Blaine County Recreation District is living its dream thanks to The Harry and Diane Rinker Foundation.

The Foundation recently donated $50,000 to the recreation district’s new Dream Builder Society. The announcement came at a recent donor’s luncheon, which raised a total of $150,000 in new commitments for the district.

With the donation, the Rinker Foundation became the founding members of the district’s new Dream Builder Society fundraising effort.

"Thousands of people benefit from the recreation district every year. There is no agency more deserving of contributions than the recreation district," Harry Rinker said.

"We should all thank its board members and staff for their tireless efforts," he went on to say.

According to the district, thousands do benefit. Approximately 85 percent of Blaine County, in addition to visitors participated in recreation district’s programs last year.

The Rinkers’ recent donation, in addition to others they have made throughout the years, have enabled a number of people to enjoy recreation district offerings. The Rinkers have been coming to Sun Valley since 1961 and have contributed to scholarship funds and other district offerings throughout the years.

"They have always been very supportive of our projects and programs," Mary Austin Crofts, executive director of the district remarked.

The Rinker’s donation is the first to the new society, which hopes to attract 100 additional founding members. The recreation district established the Dream Builder Society this year, in order to ensure the longevity of the district’s programs.

"This is a new model for fundraising," Austin Crofts explained.

"It will allow people to become a part of the Blaine County Recreation District, so we can ensure long time security," she continued.

In contrast to popular misconceptions, tax dollars do not pay for the majority of the district’s programs.

The recreation district raises two-thirds of their own budget each year, which calculates to more than one million dollars annually.

The funds support a range of programs including the Harriman Trail, the Wood River hiking and biking trail system, an outdoor summer pool and classes for all ages.

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