Giving season in Carpentersville

The Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township will head into the new year better equipped than ever, thanks to a $100,000 gift from the Carpentersville village board and an unnamed contributor, club President Tom Mammoser said.

"We are delighted to be able to tell the community that we are going into our 12th year as strong as ever," Mammoser said Wednesday, a day after the village board approved a $50,000 donation that will be matched by an anonymous donor.

Trustees approved the donation 4-2, with Kay Teeter and Judy Sigwalt dissenting. Trustee Paul Humpfer was absent.

"The Boys and Girls Club is a very good organization that helps all of the communities they serve," Village President Bill Sarto said. "They give youngsters an alternative to getting into trouble."

Those who voted against the gift argued that while the organization is a worthwhile cause, the donation was not included in the village's budget.

"I am all for supporting the club, but I would like to see the money budgeted next year," Sigwalt said. "Have I voted for items that were not budgeted in the past? Yes. And it is not a good practice."

Sigwalt said the village's own Strengthening Families program, a police department initiative that provides families with techniques and ideas to build healthier relationships, could have used the funding.

Money was made available after the village renegotiated a contract with its lobbyist, Russ Reid Co.

The village had budgeted $130,000 for the lobbyist's services. But since the firm had not secured federal funding for the village after two years, Russ Reid offered the village a year of free services. The village now is responsible for paying the firm's expenses only, freeing up about $60,000 in lobbying fees.

Mammoser called the board's decision the right choice.

"We know having a Boys and Girls Club in Carpentersville makes Carpentersville a better place to live," said Mammoser, who would not identify the benevolent individual.

"We know that we are giving children the opportunity to do things during the time of day that children are most likely to get in trouble: that is after school before parents get home."

The club had sought contributions from Carpentersville, as well as East and West Dundee, earlier this year after about 70 percent of its federal funding was cut.

The club did not receive funding from the 21st Century grant -- awarded to school districts working alongside community-based organizations -- leaving the club well short of the $300,000 it had anticipated.

"We had to reduce some of the educational component," Mammoser said. "This money will be spent to help with day-to-day operations of the club."

In January, the club requested a $75,000 donation from Carpentersville, but funds were not available at the time. Club executives later approached East and West Dundee but have not negotiated a contribution.

Mammoser said this year the club received more than $72,000 in donations from local businesses, club board members and individuals. The club's golf outing and annual dinner netted more than $47,000 and $10,000 respectively.