PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE DAILY!!!

It's quick and easy to do ~ remember to go under "F" for Friends of Recreation (Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation) and not "K" for Kalamazoo.

***WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 20TH, SO SPREAD THE WORD***

Mission Statement

To build an endowment for the future to fund municipal parks, recreation and leisure programs for:

• Youth
• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Families
• Community
• Helping those with limited resources

Friends of Recreation is a City Commission appointed advisory board that exists to develop funding partnerships with corporations and individuals for municipal parks and recreation in our community. Our goal is to ensure that local funding for parks, recreation, and leisure programs will continue to be available for all people in our community in the future.

The City of Kalamazoo currently has an outstanding parks and recreation program, serving participants in areas such as youth development, after school programs, aquatics and programs for seniors and people with disabilities. These activities enhance the quality of life for everyone.

Recreation and leisure programs are positive life-enriching experiences that no person should ever have to go without.

Help us ensure that today’s opportunities for parks, recreation and leisure programs will still be available tomorrow for all people, regardless of age, gender, or income. The benefits of parks and recreation create connections to community, environment, economic development, families, youth, and individuals. For more information, call 337-8191.

How Can You Help?

Make a donation to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation/Kalamazoo Municipal Recreation Endowment Fund (may be tax deductible). Select "Other Fund," and type in "Kalamazoo Municipal Recreation Endowment Fund" or download Contribution Information Card (.pdf) and return with your donation.

• Remember “Friends of Recreation” in your will
• Become an advisory board member

Here are just a few of the reasons to support parks and recreation:

• Parks and recreation builds strong bodies
• Enhances the quality of life
• Improves health and reduces health care
• Controls air and water quality
• Keeps kids off the streets
• Strengthens neighborhood involvement
• Provides accessible places to enjoy nature
• Teaches vital life skills
• Reduces violence and crime
• Creates memories
• Reduces risk of stress related diseases
• Increases community pride
• Increases property values and boosts tourism
• Connects families, keeps them together
• THE BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS

Friends of Recreation Board

Mike Schlack, Chair
Zadie Jackson, Vice Chair
Frances Jewell
Ian Kennedy
Jeff Kinney
Maureen Krause
Karen Suglia
Steve Tyler
Milton Wells

Friends of Recreation monthly meeting dates:
Held at Mayors' Riverfront Park at 4:00p.m. Meeting schedule for 2010 is as follows:

June 2
July 7
Aug. 4
Sept. 1
Oct. 6
Nov. 3
Dec.  1

Friends of Recreation Golf Classic

The Friends of Recreation host an annual Golf Classic to raise funds for parks and recreation programs.

14th Annual Golf Classic was held on Friday, July 16, 2010. Thanks to all who participated and donated to this event.

The following businesses generously donated gifts or door prizes to our 13th Annual Friends of Recreation Golf Classic. Thank you for your continued support.

MAJOR SPONSORS 

American Singles Golf Association Ayres-Rice Insurance, Doreen Brinson Black & Veatch Bronson Healthcare Group Budweiser Coca Cola Coca-Cola Hole Sponsors Cooper, Martin & Chojnowski, P.C. Early, Lennon, Crocker & Bartosiewicz F A Sports Store Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc.
Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, Inc. KAAF Kalamazoo Area Labor Management Committee, Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association, Outback Steakhouse, Prudential Preferred Realtors, Maureen Krause Suburban Mechanical Co. Toni Tyler Photography.

DOOR PRIZE & AUCTION SPONSORS
 Barn Theatre
Bilbo's Pizza in a Pan
Bobick's Professional Golf
Course
Borgess Health Alliance
Bryan Knoll
CentersGull Lake Golf Club & Resort
Charlie Maxwell
DCoy Duck's
FA Sports
Friends of Recreation
Full City Café
Gleeson Playground Ins.
Greg Jennings
Hammel & Associates
Hangar Bar & Grill
HD Audio
Heavenly Ham
Indian Run Golf Course
Jim Roschek
Kalamazoo 10 Theater
Kalamazoo Big T
Kalamazoo Gazette
Kalamazoo Institute of Art
Kalamazoo Kings
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Kevin's Tavern on the River
La Cantina
Lake Cora Hills Golf Club
MacKenzie's Bakery
Main Street Pub
Mike Johnson
Mike Schlack
Monaco Bay
Wild Bull Saloon
Moors Golf Club
Oak Trader
Oakwood Bistro
Olde Mill Golf Course
Rave Shanks on Ice
SOL
Sweetwater's Donuts
T.J. Duckett
Texas Corral Grill
The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre
T-Shirt Printing Plus
Turn 2 Foundation
Vandersalm's Flower Shop
VanSweden Jeweler
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University Theater
World Cafe