Tri-Cities Little League to launch 'Let There Be Light' fundraising
Tri-Cities Little League, a West Dundee-based, all volunteer organization for youth baseball and softball, is seeking donations and grants from community members, local businesses and corporations in a bid to raise an estimated $300,000 to purchase field lights for its playing fields at the Randall Oaks Recreational Center in West Dundee.
The league recently sourced donated web development and marketing services from Windy City Web Design, based in Algonquin, to launch a new donation site at TCLLwestdundee.com in a bid to generate credit and debit card donations securely and sell league spirit gear.
The league also aligned with First American Bank in West Dundee, which provided the league with an initial donation of $250 in support of fundraising initiatives for the lighting project.
"We are deeply appreciative of Windy City Web Design's professional services and First American Bank's generous initial contribution to our Let There Be Light fundraising. Both are highly respected names within our surrounding communities and have graciously provided us initial momentum in our ongoing efforts to secure funding for a much needed improvement to the playing fields utilized by the community's youth and league players," said Linda Prestia, Tri-Cities Little League information officer.
The environmentally-friendly LED lighting enhancement the league will acquire from Musco Lighting will cost an estimated $300,000, all of which will be generated through aggressive fundraising over the next few years.
"The new innovative LED lighting option we are leaning toward acquiring will be cost effective, will meet Little League standards, and will enhance our organization's ability to expand baseball and softball programs for our youth and the community for generations to come," Prestia said.
Tri Cities Little League supports over 600 youth players, with aim to expand to over 700 players over the next few playing seasons through wider marketing and additional programs. It is an officially chartered Little League and maintains a 501(c), nonprofit status.
The league's board of directors, with support from the Dundee Township Park District, will seek out various grants from businesses, corporations and community members, through the newly created online site, TCLLwestdundee.com, where donations can be made securely through PayPal via debit or credit card.
Check and cash donations also can be made directly to First American Bank, 218 W. Main St., West Dundee, IL 60118. Or checks sent directly to Tri-Cities Little League Let There Be Light Fundraising, P.O. Box 425, West Dundee, IL 60118.
The league will be providing public updates on its fundraising progress each month online at its main website, tri-citiesll.com, and via its newsletter Parent Connection.
Musco Lighting, a highly respected and quality manufacturer of Little League lighting throughout the country, provided Tri-Cities Little League with the project quote after representatives assessed the fields in September 2016. The budget estimate of $300,000 for the lighting project is for "materials and installation of the Light-Structure Green lighting system."
Musco indicated that the firm has worked many times with nonprofit organizations similar to Tri-Cities Little League and would assist the league with help from its reputable contractors with its project volunteers for installation.
The league would likely source volunteers to work with Musco for installation of the lighting in order to reduce costs substantially. Musco also informed the league of discounts it will qualify for linked with its charter status with Little League.
Tri-Cities Little League is working with Musco and Dundee Township Park District officials to determine exact install locations of 13 new light poles to be situated between the fields in a design that ensures lighting will be provided to fields simultaneously and cost effectively. Lighting would be designed to meet Little League standards.
The board also created a Fundraising Display to be featured at the Randall Oaks playing fields that will allow the public to see donation progress during the March-October playing months.
The TCLLwestdundee.com website also will sell league merchandise starting in December 2016, with all proceeds generated from sales to be allocated to the Let There Be Light fundraiser.