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Armory Youth Center needs votes to win $250,000
(by Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor - July 28, 2010)
Madison Area Youth Center Inc. (MAYCI) is vying for $250,000 for renovations and repairs to the Armory in London. It’s all part of the national Pepsi Refresh grant challenge, and victory depends on online votes from local supporters.
Voting starts Aug. 1. The instructions are as follows:
• You must be 13 years or older to vote.
• You must have a valid e-mail address to register.
• Go to www.RefreshEverything.com
• Click “Join Refresh Everything” at the bottom left.
• Register with your name and e-mail address.
• Use the Search function at the top right of the page.
• Type in Ohio Youth Center to locate the MAYCI@the Armory project.
• Click “Vote For This Idea!”
• Sign in and vote every day in August.
Pepsi’s program has proved to be very popular. Hundreds of organizations from across the country submit their projects every month. MAYCI volunteers finally got their project on the list for August. They could be competing against 200 to 300 other projects for the big prize.
“We’re spreading the word everywhere we can. We’re going to civic club meetings. We’re using our e-mail list,” said Robert Graber, a MAYCI volunteer.
“The money is the top goal, but even more important is the network we’re going to build in the community. Those relationships are what will sustain us down the road.”
Should MAYCI get enough votes to win the grant, organizers of the all-volunteer organization plan to use the funds to:
• Repair and expand the rest room. Right now, there’s one toilet for women and one urinal for men.
• Purchase a computer server and more computers, game stations and games. With a server, the radio station housed at the Armory, WCYC-LP 105.1 FM, would no longer have to use external drives for backup.
• Update the radio station’s technology and equipment. Station staffers are using their own cell phones to transmit coverage of London sporting events. A mobile transmitter would help.
• Hire a program coordinator and part-time event coordinator. One or two people could handle these duties, with the primary focus being MAYCI’s after-school drop-in program.
• Make miscellaneous repairs and upgrades. The needs include new paint, a new refrigerator, repair of the pool room ceiling, new sports equipment, an electronic sign, etc. Upgrades in the kitchen could allow MAYCI to apply for USDA food grants.
If the money stretches far enough, the wish list also includes pool room accessories, a digital security system and six new backboards for the gymnasium.
“Our goals are to increase what our ‘customers’ (kids) get, secure paid help to oversee programs, and increase our capacity and efficiency,” Graber said. “With everyone working together, we can do it.”
The Armory is located at 15 E. Second St in London. MAYCI@the Armory is a faith-based, all-volunteer organization.
For more information about MAYCI or the Pepsi Refresh grant, go to www.mayci.org, call (740) 852-1595, or send e-mail to londonyouthcenter@yahoo.com.
Readers' comments:
Great article! I have one comment to add. These funds will get so many kids off the streets and realizing dreams they never thought possible. It takes a village to raise a child! --- Twyla McNamara
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