Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days winds up 2015 donations, gears up for 2016

Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days Inc., an annual festival hosted by the town of Hampshire, has finalized its donor list from proceeds raised in 2015.

A total of $4,000 was donated to five organizations - Burlington-Hampshire Area Food Pantry, Golden Diners of Elgin, Hampshire High School's Marching Band, Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8043, and the Hampshire Police Department's Less Fortunate Family Christmas Fund. Funds are used for such things as purchasing food for area residents in need, delivering healthy meals to the elderly, providing food and gifts to area families in need during the holidays, and supporting local groups that support the town.

"Historically, Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days has limited its annual donation to one larger organization," said Carl Palmisano, president. "In the last two years, however, we have consciously reorganized the committee into a membership with varied backgrounds. This has led to new ideas that dovetail nicely between the more senior members of the committee and the more junior members, which has led to a strategic focus in how we donate on behalf of the town."

Hampshire Coon Creek Country Days Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization formed to host Hampshire's annual festival, which raises money for community service organizations in and around Hampshire. 2015 was one of its most successful years yet in attendance, due in part to a more robust variety of offerings during the four-day event and also an increase in sponsorships gained from the 501(c)(3) tax status granted early in the year.

Planning is well under way for Coon Creek Country Days 2016, set for Aug. 4-7. For information on activities, sponsorships and vendor and crafter opportunities, visit hampshirecooncreekcountrydays.com or call Carl Palmisano at (224) 402-3273.