News Release
This has been a great year for the Patagonia Pool and PRAC (Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center). We have secured 501(C)3 nonprofit status, received five grants, held, or participated in, at least 11 local events which brought in over $12,000, received donations from about 70 donors, purchased a basketball hoop and volleyball net for the pool, and have had many, many hours of time donated. The relationships with Patagonia Schools and the town are strong and we foresee that continuing into the future.
PRAC gratefully acknowledges receiving grants in 2022 from the Patagonia Regional Community Fund, a component fund of the Arizona Community Foundation; the Burton Family Foundation; Schwab Charitable; Sports Fund of Arizona; and South 32 Hermosa Community Fund, held at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona; and for 2023 – The Legacy Foundation.
While grants have provided a very significant source of funding, we can’t over-emphasize the importance of ‘micro funding’ – individual donations accounted for nearly 50% of the money raised this year. Many grants require matching donations. While money is always needed, the time put in at yard sales, booths, creating crafts, etc, also counts. If you would like to make a donation, please make the check to PRAC and send it to Patagonia Regional Aquatic Center, PO Box 1052,Patagonia, AZ 85624. Contact patagoniapool1@gmail.com for more info. The pool has a Facebook page: facebook.com/PatagoniaPool
We were able to extend the pool season a bit this year thanks to two extended year lifeguards and to the 9-1-1 volunteers – those people who came and sat on the sidelines during laps and water aerobics in case there was an emergency. Three people are required for the pool to be in use.
The hope is to be able to begin to extend the pool season at both the beginning and the end with the help of a heater. This is going to require lifeguards that are not in school. Please consider taking the training and helping out if you are able.
Upcoming goals include reaching $57,000 to match to a Legacy Foundation grant for $43,000. Thanks to our generous donors we now ‘only’ need to raise $25,000 by April 30. In 2023, PRAC will begin an endowment campaign. We have a special need for someone with experience in creating an endowment. Also needed: people on the planning/leadership, fundraising, and events committees. Please contact Clare Bonelli at clarebonelli@gmail.com if you can join us.
Upcoming events include the second annual Polar Plunge on January 28 at 1:00p.m. at the pool (bring your coin jars!) and a Yard Sale on Feb. 4 from 9-4 and Feb. 5 from 9-2 at the lot between the old Marshal’s office and the Patagonia Lumber Company.
Many thanks to the volunteers who have devoted so much time to making all this happen, the Patagonia Schools (especially the administration and maintenance staff), the Town of Patagonia, the Patagonia-Sonoita Rotary Foundation and Mountain Empire Rotary, area businesses that supported the pool through donation jars, and the many, many people who have donated their time to keeping our pool alive. Thank you!