Blaine council highlights 15 nonprofits receiving about $193,000 in charitable-gambling proceeds

The Blaine City Council recognized 15 local nonprofit organizations at its Feb. 2 meeting and announced distributions from charitable-gambling proceeds totaling just over $193,000.

"In total, there's going to be just over $193,000 that's handed out tonight," Development Director Zimmerman told the council, explaining that nonprofits applied last spring via an online application and that applicants had to detail how they serve Blaine residents and how proceeds would support their mission.

Zimmerman said the council reviewed scoring sheets and had discussed the award process in prior meetings to prepare for the distributions. He asked council members to offer brief comments about the process and the selected organizations before inviting representatives forward for a photo opportunity and check presentation.

Council members praised the variety of groups receiving awards, citing food shelves, veteran-support organizations, youth sports, first-responder support groups and emergency services among beneficiaries. One council member said it is meaningful to use dollars “that’s not collected from taxpayers” to help community programs.

Director Zimmerman said staff would distribute the checks just outside council chambers following the photo opportunity.

The presentation did not involve a formal council vote on the awards at the meeting; the council had previously met in October to review the award process and scoring sheets, and Planning/award actions were described as following state law and city charter requirements.