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Season's Greetings from Memorial Park

Other Voices

Season’s Greetings from Morrisons Cove Memorial Park:

In our annual Christmas letter to the Cove, we would like to take a moment to look back at our accomplishments this past year and let our community know our plans going forward for the “Hidden Treasure of the Cove.”

There is no doubt that 2020 was a challenge to operate for many small businesses in our area due to COVID-19. With assistance from our community, we were able to keep our doors open for most of the year.

The park has made a conscious decision to reinvest revenues from programs and donations from our patrons back into the programs that our park offers. As a fiduciary for this great institution, I believe it is important to share our financial highlights with the community.

Financial Report

For the Fiscal Year ending Sept. 30, 2020, the park recorded income from programs and donations at $487,502 (excluding a dedicated trust donation for pool use only) while incurring expenses of $483,014.

These preliminary figures include accumulated depreciation on assets.

Revenues allocated toward accumulated depreciation were used to improve the Park’s physical assets.

Pool Report

The opening of pool season was delayed until early June due to COIVD-19 concerns. We are proud to report to our community, though, that we were the only public pool open in Blair County for the entire 2020 summer season.

Our pool and facility saw a great influx of people who had never visited Martinsburg before, let alone Hershberger Memorial Pool. Our board, Pool Manager Kelly Marks and her team deserve all the credit for having the foresight to assist our community’s families with a recreation need while persevering through a challenging summer.

Through the end of summer, we completed many updates to our infrastructure which included

• Two new pool heaters,

• A new Slushee machine for the pool snack bar

• A new (to us) 1995 Chevy pickup truck with snowplow (so now we can plow our own parking lot in the winter)

• A new leaf loader (industrial vacuum) purchased from McCoy’s Lawn and Garden in Roaring Spring

• A new dump trailer purchased from Metzler Truck & Trailer Sales of Martinsburg.

July 4th Report

Our annual July 4th celebration was definitely a challenge this year.

With the help of major corporate fireworks sponsorships from Curry Supply, Ritchey’s Dairy, NPC, Teeter Insurance and Reliance Bank, we were able to have a grand fireworks display on Friday, July 3.

COVID-19 restrictions did not allow us to have carnival rides or small games of chance, so we increased our musical selection of bands and food vendors for the week.

Although this annual function was not a fundraiser for us, we were very happy to give our community something to enjoy this past summer.

As I sit here writing this letter, I think back to that hot July night and a huge smile comes across my face knowing that we did good for our community!

Sports Report

This winter will be the third year for our instructional youth basketball league. Participation numbers increased from 72 two years ago, to 127 last year and 158 this season.

MCMP was also the home to Cove Youth Football as we allowed the organization to use our facilities this past fall.

Central Youth Wrestling will be using our facility for practices this season and AAU volleyball tournaments, attracting teams from across the region, will be hosting tournaments in our gym during the months of January, February and March.

Our goal

Our goal is for Morrisons Cove Memorial Park to be your one-stop “family entertainment complex” for all of your recreation, birthday and fellowship needs.

Our continued presence in the community would not be possible without your financial support. In this season of giving, we hope you keep the park in mind as a worthwhile steward in serving the needs of our community.

It is my honor to be the park and recreation director for such a wonderful community asset. It is our goal to continue to improve the infrastructure and the park’s offerings.

The park board of directors and I appreciate your patronage of our events and the financial gifts that are given. Morrisons Cove Memorial Park is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and contributions may be tax deductible under Section 170 of the IRS Tax Code.

And new for 2020 – the CARES Act allows taxpayers who don't itemize deductions to take a charitable deduction of up to $300 for cash contributions made in 2020.

Editor’s Note: Chuck Gojmerac is the executive director of Morrisons Cove Memorial Park in Martinsburg.

 

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