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Rossi Barn Dance meets a wider charitable need Organizers expand beyond Youth Football, meet other athletic needs LEE PERLMAN THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
The Rossi familys annual Barn Dance is an exception. It is expanding its original mission. The event was originally intended to provide for Parkrose Youth Football. However, as Joe Rossi says, We began to make too much money to spend it on just the football team. We only do things the schools arent already doing, but if someone has a good request for a youth sports activity in Parkrose we do it. Last year money was donated to the girls volleyball team, the middle school pep squad, the track team, for first aid equipment, and a cheerleading camp. The money is funneled through a separate entity with an even broader mission: The Parkrose Educational Foundation. Spokesperson John Butler says it subsizes school projects that the district cannot pay for itself due to budget shortfalls. The foundation helped purchase track lighting for the high schools theater, and new equipment for the middle school that allows teachers to project computer images onto a wall for the whole class to see. We fund things that benefit not just one kid, but the whole district, Butler says. The foundation is currently raising funds by selling inscribed bricks in the administration building courtyard. For $25 you can have your own or someone elses name (up to 13 characters) immortalized, and contribute to school programs at the same time. For more information call Michelle Butler at 408-2104. Contributors can designate that their money go to a particular program. The funds Rossi raises from the Barn Dance are earmarked for athletic activities, Butler says, although he adds, Joe is such a generous guy that if people were to approach him about giving to some other need, hed probably be willing to give to that, too. Last year the dance netted $8,000 for the foundation. This year, Rossi and other organizers hope to do even better. The event this year will be 6 p.m. to midnight at the farm, Northeast 122nd Avenue at Shaver Street. For $10 you get all the barbecued chicken, baked beans, macaroni, green and potato salad you can eat, plus your choice of beverage. You can also listen and dance to live music by the Last Rodeo Band. This will be your opportunity to watch the world premier of Turkey Creek Productions James Prescott and the Legend of Parker Rose. Its a sequel to last years tale based on the origins of Parkrose and That Other Town To The West Thar. Once again, most of the cast consists of your friends and neighbors. The plot? Well, lets just say that this last spring was not the first time that people were asked to give too much, to the wrong people, in the name of Economic Development. Does it sound like a good deal? So good youd like to lend a hand to make it happen? Then for you theres an even better deal. Put in some volunteer time and you can eat, drink, dance and watch the film for free! Call 503-253-5571. And remember, its all for a good cause. This is not just for football players, but all the kids in Parkrose. Theres no such thing as too much money; count on the Parkrose Youth Sports Foundation to find something worthwhile to spend it on. |
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