Pharr board discusses fundraisers, opts to use proceeds for coaches appreciation instead of duplicating scholarship

At its December meeting, the Pharr Parks and Recreation Department discussed future fundraisers and how to allocate proceeds from recent events.

Board members asked staff to provide totals from the Avocado Fest booth and discussed options for another fundraiser—suggestions included a lotería or bingo in the spring. Staff agreed to email date options and venue availability, with members expressing a preference for Sunday scheduling.

On the use of funds, the Parks and Recreation director said the department did not run a scholarship this year because the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) already manages a scholarship program. "We didn't do the scholarship this year because... EDC does the scholarship thing, so it was kind of duplicating efforts," the director said. Instead, the board discussed using fundraising proceeds to stage an appreciation event for volunteer head coaches; staff noted the department has over 100 head coaches and their assistants across programs.

Board members recalled that the bingo fundraiser raised an amount 'about 13' (interpreted as approximately $13,000) and that the department distributed roughly $11,000 from those proceeds in prior activity. Staff said they will compile rosters of coaches and follow up with a recommendation on banquet logistics and how to disperse funds.

Next steps: staff will email fundraiser totals, circulate possible dates for a spring fundraiser, coordinate with the golf course for potential venues, and prepare a plan for a coaches appreciation banquet.