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Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Benefiting the Community Fabric

On Saturday, July 3, 2010, and Sunday, July 11, 2010, at our Main Town Park, I enjoyed Day in the Park and helped open the 52nd annual Clarence Concert Association’s Summer Concert Series, respectively. Both events are run by nonprofits in the Town of Clarence and receive assistance from the Town.

In August 2008, I wrote about how nonprofits and government interact with one another to benefit society, citing Nonprofits & Government (edited by Elizabeth T. Boris and C. Eugene Steuerle). One article mentioned Benjamin Franklin as a “great social reformer driven by his own holistic concepts of society,” who helped establish nonprofits “directed to public benefit.” Many of our local nonprofits hold events to benefit the public. The events include:

- Day in the Park – Held on Independence weekend, activities range from bounce houses, pie eating contest, food, and concluding with a fireworks display. Proceeds from the event benefit the nonprofits working there.

- Summer Concert Series by the Clarence Concert Association – July 11, 2010, through and including August 8, 2010. For more information about this local treasure and the beautiful music, please visit www.clarenceconcert.org.

- Taste of Clarence – Held the first Monday in August by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce. Many local restaurants converge for your eating pleasure with a car show that is one of the largest in Western New York.

- Labor Day Picnic – Labor Day weekend and held on the grounds of the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company. Rides, games, food vendors, and a parade help round out the summer.

Generally, municipalities take responsibility for parks and recreation services. See http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government/state-and-local-government. Besides our excellent Town parks and bike paths, our Town Board established a Youth Bureau and has strengthened our Recreation programs. Together, our Youth Bureau and Chamber of Commerce host Winterfest, in conjunction with various nonprofits. Winterfest has many activities that usually include chili cook off, music, ice skating, and other outdoor winter activities.

Our Recreation Department holds activities throughout the Summer and Winter. Programs include arts & crafts, swimming lessons, golf, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and basketball. For more information, please call (716) 407-2162.

Our Youth Bureau has a tremendous program for youth ages 12-20 to volunteer for local agencies and organizations. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, or simply lend a hand at community events. For more information, please call (716) 407-2162.

Finally, the Town of Clarence contracts with Clarence Senior Citizens, Inc., to provide senior services in the Town. Their mission is to provide social, recreational, educational, and nutritional programs, as well as opportunities for volunteerism, to persons in the community who are fifty five and older. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, please call (716) 633-5138 or visit http://www.clarenceseniorcenter.org/.

I urge you to check out these and other events that help strengthen our community fabric.