Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- The Family Place faces funding uncertainties from state and federal grants.
- Executive Director Sheryl Goodey emphasizes reliance on their annual fundraiser.
- Business owner Dan Hansen donates signed memorabilia to support the organization's cause.
LOGAN — With just days to go before their major annual fundraiser, the Family Place is facing many uncertainties when it comes to both state and federal grants.
"No promises have been made that nothing will be touched," Executive Director Sheryl Goodey explained. "It's something that we're looking at every day. In fact, every morning and late afternoon we go through the news. We are looking at our emails, at our current grants that we have, wanting to ensure that they haven't had any changes."
Goodey says they may have to depend on the annual fundraiser more than ever. Area business owner Dan Hansen has for the second year in a row donated many unique pieces of signed memorabilia, from guitars, signed by Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Jon Bon Jovi, to baseballs, signed by Pete Rose, and the cast of the movie "The Sandlot," with teeth marks worked in, to call back to the scene when a large dog steals the ball.
"Money comes and goes, but relationships last forever if you treat it right," Hansen said. "And I think that not caring so much about how much money can you make in a year and trying to create better relationships with community will last a lot longer."
Hansen also adds that more business owners need to step up and support causes they can get behind.
"I hope other business owners resonate with that message," Hansen said. "We would not be in the community with a business if we didn't help community."
The Family Place works to protect and support children, taking care of kids for up to 28 days who have been taken out of difficult situations, as they transition into foster care. They also support families with therapy, and giving caregivers and parents a break for up to two hours a week, no questions asked. Those programs however could be at risk if any of their usual grants are taken away.
"If we don't have the money to be able to do what we do best, then the community is the one who is going to suffer," Goodey said.
The Family Place's annual Blue Ribbon Benefit starts at 5 pm on Saturday at the Riverwoods Conference Center. More than 80 items will be up for auction, including a silent auction, starting Thursday.
