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CITY NOTES: Your support makes a big difference to Community Revite

By Mark Wicks, Community Development Director

Right off the bat I want to say a sincere “Thank You!” to everyone who has ever participated in or supported a Community Revitalization-generated activity, event or effort. In the 25-year history of Charles City’s Main Street Iowa program, it has been the backing and support of the community that has made all things possible.

You, no matter how big or small a role you played, have made a difference … Community Revitalization has made a difference. If you have had any part in that, please take a bow and know that it has been appreciated.

Mark Wicks Charles City Community Development Director
Mark Wicks
Charles City Community Development Director

Even after a quarter of a century, though, Community Revitalization and what it does is still often mistaken as either being a part of the Chamber of Commerce or, as is more often the case, just part of what the city of Charles City provides. We are neither.

Community Revitalization is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that was established in 1994 by the citizens of Charles City, for the preservation and improvement of Charles City. It has an all-volunteer board of directors, is driven by volunteer committees and project task forces, and has separate mission and vision statements than the city or Chamber.

Because the Chamber and Community Revitalization are based in the same building and share professional staff, it’s easy to assume they are one and the same. But each is its own entity, and not part of city government. Too often, however, Community Revite is not acknowledged as such.

That’s OK, to an extent. The program and its volunteers don’t exist to grab headlines and bask in the spotlight. In fact, the vast majority of them would prefer to remain behind the scenes and not in front of the curtain. They are more concerned about trying to get things done to keep Charles City a great place to live, work and play.

This past year alone, 339 different volunteers did something to assist in Community Revitalization efforts, logging a total of 1,758 hours of service to their community. Not because they had to, mind you, but because they wanted to.

Since 1994, Charles City’s cumulative volunteer hours have surpassed the 179,000 mark. Only Dubuque among the other 53 Main Street Iowa communities has logged more volunteer hours.

Just a few things those volunteer-driven efforts have resulted in are: the community recreational trail, community welcome signs, numerous public art projects, the vintage street lights downtown, beautification efforts with the parking lot planters and Main Street flower pots, historic building preservation and multiple façade improvement projects.

Then there are the events and activities, such as Party in the Park, Spookwalk, the Great Chili Cook-Off, ChuckTown Brewfest and more.

Beyond the fellowship and sense of community, bringing people together at these events fosters common goals, new ideas and ways we can join forces to get things wanted or needed done.

Community Revitalization is, in many ways, all about community spirit, community pride and community can-do. Many great things have been accomplished through this program, and many more still can.

It’s up to you … it’s always been up to you. This is about us helping ourselves, and not sitting around hoping someone else may someday do it for us. There’s nothing stronger or more determined than the heart of a volunteer.

Unfortunately, volunteer hours alone don’t make an organization like Community Revitalization possible. It also takes the support of other entities, businesses, groups and individuals.

Sometimes that support is in-kind, sometimes it is by attending and supporting Community Revitalization events, and sometimes it has to be about financial support as well.

While Community Revitalization is not about making money (recall the “non-profit” part), it does take some financial support to enable the organization to exist and function.

Just like in your home and business, there are operating expenses. There is office rent and utilities, insurance, supply and material costs, and payroll for the paid staff required to administer and facilitate the program. There are state requirements for being a Main Street Iowa community that require regular reports, travel to trainings, as well as showing that our community is committed to sustaining a Main Street program.

Part of that commitment is in the form of financial support from the city of Charles City, as well as Floyd County. That is critical, but only accounts for 23 percent of the program budget.

Financial investments from program supporters, ranging from businesses large and small to individuals and families who believe in what we’re trying to do, account for another 15.6 percent.

The majority of the budget comes from sponsorships and income raised from all of the different events and activities to cover the costs of putting them on, and for projects they are helping to fund.

There is part of the budget that is strictly money in, money out, involving grants and fireworks fundraising. The ultimate goal is to cover costs and break even. Just like you, operating in the red doesn’t work very well … or very long.

Unlike the Chamber, there are no annual membership dues to help sustain Community Revitalization. just voluntary “investment” donations. And just like volunteer hours and public participation, every bit helps, both large and small.

Anyone can be a Community Revitalization investor/supporter, and every bit of it makes a difference. Please consider helping CR continue to make a difference with your time, talents and/or financial support. Contact our office at 401 North Main Street, 641-228-2335, to learn more.

It’s up to you where we go these next 25 years. … It always has been!

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