There will be no monthly meeting in August, but please continue talking to your friends and neighbors to get their support for Braddock Dogs with a contribution to the Fairfax County Park Foundation.
September Meeting.There will be a monthly Braddock Dog meeting in September, even though it is a very busy time with school just starting up again. We are so close to our Mastenbrook Grant goal that September will kick off the final push to hit the $10,000.00 milestone. So continue talking with friends and neighbors, and even complete strangers if they have a dog. The September meeting will be held September 19th at 7:30pm.
Fundraising Goal.Speaking of our fundraising goals, at the last Braddock Dogs monthly meeting in July, Treasurer Eddie Murawski noted that Braddock Dogs had raised $9,000.00 of the $10,000.00 needed for a fully funded Masterbrook grant application. We are taking a break with August but fully intend to hit the trail again to raise the final $1,000.00 in the September/October timeframe so that we can submit the Mastenbrook grant application in the October/November timeframe. I just want to remind everyone that while the $10,000 milestone is a key milestone, we still will need to raise about another $ 2500.00 for miscellaneous items identified in our Memorandum of Agreement such as benches and signboards and or items we want to see in the OLDA such as canine area play equipment. Take a trip to the South Run OLDA to see what they have put in there.
Petitioning the Fairfax County Park Authority Board of Directors.The importance of getting our grant application in is that it shows the Park Authority we have met their public/private partnership request and that we are ready to move forward with the development of Monticello Park, and specifically the OLDA. Hopefully, it will encourage them to move our effort forward ahead of those who are not ready. To that end, upon submission of our Mastenbrook Grant application, I anticipate appearing before the FCPA Board of Directors in January 2014 (January 22nd to be exact) to introduce Braddock Dogs to the Park Authority board, to make them aware that we have submitted a Matenbrook grant application, and to request accelerated OLDA development or interim dog park development. As per the meeting in front of the Planning Board back in April, I would appreciate your support – meaning your physical presence at the presentation - to let the board know that there is significant community interest and support in making this happen, and that we would like to see it happen sooner rather than later.
Braddock Dogs Now Fundraising At Braddock Nights.Earlier this month, with support from the Braddock District Representative to the Park Authority Board, Braddock Dogs received permission from the Park Authority to be an authorized vendor selling pre-packaged water and ice cream at the Braddock Nights Summer Concert Series at Royal Lake Park to augment our fundraising efforts. All proceeds, after covering out of pocket costs, are being forwarded to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to be applied against our fundraising goal. I anticipate we will be a vendor during next summer’s concert series as well. Sales will provide a revenue stream to meet MOA ongoing requirements such as dog waste disposal bags, and additional OLDS park enhancements, such as the previously mentioned dog canine play equipment. If this occurs, we will not have to levy any dues upon association members. I also anticipate sharing some of our proceeds with Braddock Nights, and possibly being a sponsor. This season is almost over (only two more performances), but I anticipate we will need significant volunteer assistance next year. So, besides helping out Braddock Dogs, you also get to listen to a really great concert. What a deal! Never been to a Braddock Nights concert? Stop by Royal Lake Park this Friday night at 7:30PM. The concerts are free and last about an hour.
I need a volunteer to sell water, soda, and ice cream at the Royal Lake Braddock Nights next Friday, August 30th, since I will be out of town. If you are interested in helping out at the last Braddock Night of the season, please let me know so I can make sure you get everything you need. You should plan to set up around 7pm to catch people as they arrive.
Braddock District Representative to the Park Authority Board Contacting Civic Associations / HOAs For Fundraising Support.Our Braddock District Representative, Tony Vellucci, has identified about 40 civic and homeowner associations in and around MonticelloPark and has asked them to contribute to the OLDA so that it truly reflects a district wide effort. Please contact your civic / community / homeowners association and ask that they make a donation to the Park Foundation for the OLDA. Contacted associations include:
Bonnie Brae Civic Association, Bradfield Homeowners Association, Briarwood Homes Association, Burke Centre Conservancy, Burke Centre Station Commons, Chatham Town HOA, Chatham Towne Homeowners Association, Chapel Ridge, Colony Park Community Association, Colony Park HOA, Country Club View Civic Association, Crownleigh Community Association, Dunleigh Homeowners Association, Glen Cove Community Assn, Glen Cove HOA, Greenfield HOA, Hillsdale Community Association, Kings Park Civic Association, Kings Park West Civic Association, Kings Park West Townhouses HOA, Kingsberry HOA, Lake Braddock Community Association, Lakepointe Community Council, Long Branch Civic Association, Middleridge Civic Association, New Lakepointe Townhomes HOA, Olde Forge/Surrey Square Civic Assn., Park West Community Association, Pines (Fairfax) Community Association, Queens Gate HOA, Red Fox Forest Civic Association, Reserve at Martins Pointe HOA TWC Mgmt., Rutherford Community Association, Sideburn Civic Association, Signal Hill HOA, Signal Hill Homes Association, Signal Hill Mews HOA, Stone Haven HOA, Southport HOA, Truro Homes Association, Twinbrook Community Assn., Village Park HOA, Willow Woods Civic Association,Woodbury Woods Community Association, Wood Glen Estates HOA, Woodlynne HOA,
Volunteer For Monthly Newsletters.Lastly, I sure could use a volunteer to help me out with the newsletter. If you have about two hours or less a month, please consider helping out. You can email
braddockdogs@gmail.com.
