The gifts keep on coming for Lodi Boys & Girls Club
May 15—After a major fundraiser and receiving donations from the community, a Lodi youth organization has garnered yet another windfall of financial support.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to allocate $20,000 from District 4 funds to the Lodi Boys & Girls Club's Empowering Lodi's Youth Program on Tuesday.
"The Lodi Boys & Girls Club has been an exceptional experience there,' said Supervisor Steve Ding, who represents Lodi on the board. "Their summer programs are exceptional, the staff has knocked me off my feet. This is going to summer supplies and so forth, for all their summer programs."
According to Tuesday's staff report, the club currently serves 425 local children ages 6-18 for $35 a year.
Of the $20,000 allocated Tuesday, $5,000 will be used to purchase computers and electronic supplies, $4,000 will be used to purchase snacks and summer camp meals for the children, and $3,000 will be used to purchase club member apparel.
Another $3,000 will be used to hold the annual Back2School Fair at the club, and $2,000 will be used to make facility and event improvements.
In addition, $1,000 will be used to purchase art program supplies, another $1,000 will be allocated toward nutrition and health programs, and $500 will help fund recreational sports.
A final $500 will be used for program incentives, according to Tuesday's staff report.
Tuesday's allocation of District 4 funds comes on the heels of 28 donors contributing $6,200 to the Boys & Girls Club through 209Gives, the 24-hour period where residents gave to their favorite charities and nonprofit organizations on April 30. The club raised the fourth-largest amount of donations during the annual event, and received $4,000 in matching funds for a total of $10,000.
In addition, the club raised $130,000 at its annual fundraiser held at Wine & Roses on April 26.
Ding said he and the Boys & Girls Club are working together to create a transportation plan.
"Hopefully, (we can draft a plan) with some bus companies so we can figure out how to get kids from school to the club so they're not at home (alone) or doing things they shouldn't be doing," he said.
Ding also allocated $10,000 of his district funds to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office's Fallen Heroes Memorial.
Continued from an April 23 discussion, the Fallen Heroes Memorial is estimated to cost about $500,000, and will depict a deputy standing over a kneeling colleague.
The memorial will be built on the west side of the Sheriff's Office administrative center, 7000 Michael Canlis Blvd., in French Camp.
Board chair Miguel Villapudua and supervisor Tom Patti also allocated $10,000 to the project, while supervisor Robert Rickman allocated $10,001.
Supervisor Paul Canepa was absent from Tuesday's meeting, but will have the opportunity to allocate money from his District 3 fund at the May 21 meeting.
