A volunteer-run nonprofit group that has raised millions for new parks in Bellaire recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and it doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon.
With dedicated volunteers donating hours of time each month seeking pledges and organizing annual fundraisers, financial support from Patrons for Bellaire Parks has already been instrumental in building the Bellaire Family Aquatics Center and Loftin Park. Patrons volunteers sacrifice their time because they care about the Bellaire community, said President Betty Bellomy.
“All of us recognize the importance of park space for recreation and family time,” she said. “Everyone feels that sense of community too. We really care about Bellaire. We want to help, to participate and do our part.”
The idea for Patrons was born in the Bellaire Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. In February 2000 three board members — John Greer, Katie O’Hara and John Gana — did the work to organize the group as a 501 c(3) nonprofit organization.
“Everybody thought we needed an arm where donations could go into and go specifically for parks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jane Dembski, who has worked for the city for 22 years. “Back in the day, we weren’t doing much fundraising. It would be more like a person would want to donate money to honor or memorialize a family member or friend.”
The three founders were still busy serving on the parks board so they stepped aside to allow others to lead Patrons. The beginning was slow, Dembski said, but the nonprofit really started its engines about five or six years ago when the city’s lofty vision for Bellaire Town Square revved up volunteers towards a common fundraising goal.
“They had a plan. Bellaire Town Square was something they could focus on, something they could sink their teeth into,” Dembski said. “While the master plan was being created for the Town Square, they were able to gather the troops, get excited, and figure out what they wanted to do to fund raise.”
Since then, Patrons has donated $1 million for the Bellaire Family Aquatics Center and $250,000 for improvements in Loftin Park that included a playground, sidewalks, lighting and more. Dembski said the financial support has been very significant, because parks and recreation projects are sometimes the “low man on the totem pole” in the city’s budget. Fire and police service, and streets and infrastructure projects often trump parks when Bellaire leaders must make tough choices about how to spend taxpayers’ money.
Bellomy said Patrons finds the most support from individuals and businesses that pledge money for parks projects. Donors are generous.
The Patrons Website lists 60 people and businesses who have pledged between $1,500 to $2,999. Eight donors gave $3,000 to $4,999, while a whopping 43 individuals and companies pledged between $5,000 and $24,999. Even larger donations come from corporations and other businesses, with the largest amount from the Wortham Foundation.
Patrons counts many prominent Bellaire residents as supporters — Mayor Cindy Siegel, current Councilmembers Mandy Nathan and Will Hickman, and several former council members. Many important Bellaire community groups have also donated money, like the rotary club, little league and the Rubenstein Foundation.
Patrons volunteers work hard year round to secure those donations, and they also plan and organize three annual fundraisers: Wine and Tapas netted $10,000 last year, Tents in Town should collect an equal amount in late April, and the upcoming Bellaire New Home Showcase should bring in about $15,000, Bellomy said.
For now, Patrons plans to focus on raising funds for the completion of Bellaire Town Square, including an interactive water plaza, event pavilion and skate park. What does the future hold? Bellomy said Patrons is poised to tackle any future parks projects in Bellaire that need funding.
“Just like the Teas Nursery thing that took place,” Bellomy said. “At some point, it will take a lot of money to develop it to whatever it’s going to be.”
robert riquelmy says
It is a commonplace that Bellaire has more government than budget.
The Parks Department cannot properly operate and maintain the parks that it now has.
Patrons could help by raising money to help with operations rather than putting the city further behind by adding more parks and park expenses.
Restraint and moderation are qualities not associated with Bellaire.