Gulfport Council Gets Senior Center Campaign Update

Fundraising on Track, Reps Say

By Monroe Roark

The money for the proposed new Gulfport Senior Center is coming in on schedule. That was the word given during a report at the Gulfport City Council’s June 20 meeting.

Representatives of Kinetic Fundraising are acting as managers for the senior center’s capital campaign. They told council members that the campaign is on track to reach its benchmark of $3.5 million by Aug. 31. The next benchmark after that is $5 million by Dec. 31.

Kinetic representative Karin Cox said that the campaign has confirmed and secured eight gifts totaling $2,543,000. An additional four requests that would total $315,000 are currently under consideration — “They haven’t said no,” as Cox put it.

That leaves a dozen or so “priority asks” set for the next 60-90 days.

“Those are individuals we have outlined, we have a strategy for, we have a plan, and we plan to ask them for a specific amount,” said Cox.

A number of planned activities are on the calendar for the coming weeks and months, such as recruiting and engaging honorary chairs; refining and implementing solicitation strategies for individuals, foundations and corporations; hosting cultivation events to engage new prospective donors; creating and distributing a campaign newsletter; and “announcing gifts to appreciate donors and inspire others,” according to Cox.

“We have a great campaign cabinet that is meeting regularly,” said Cox. “We just learned that Joe and Maddy Guenther will be serving as honorary chairs, and we hope to secure another couple as well to create more visibility and more excitement for the campaign.”

There are plenty of opportunities for donors to honor a special individual or organization by naming a space within the new senior center — a way “to allow the senior center to express gratitude for their generosity,” according to officials. Those opportunities include $3 million for naming the building; $1 million for naming the main lobby; $100,000 for office suites; and $75,000 for an office.

“Two of the rooms are named currently,” said Kinetic representative Aaron Johnson. “One was a gift by the foundation board, which we are very thankful for, and the other was a donor that we look to be celebrating in the next 30 days that has named the food pantry. We are very excited to celebrate that gift as well and let people know about it.”

Officials have announced no names publicly, either during this presentation or otherwise. Senior Center Supervisor Rachel Cataldo suggested in January that some naming rights could be announced soon. The Gabber Newspaper asked city officials after the most recent meeting for possible names that have been confirmed and received no response by press time.

Council member April Thanos (Ward I) pointed out that the City originally had a three-year contract with Kinetic, formerly Hartsook Companies. Regarding the total funding needed for the project, said, “We’re not even close.”

She asked what the council should be doing to accomplish the goal and preserve City resources. Cox said that the focus right now is meeting the $3.5 million benchmark.

“But that’s two and a half years into your contract. I thought you would have raised the whole $15 million in three years,” said Thanos.

“We’re a year and a half in,” Cox countered. She then added that they will reach their goals if they remain on the current schedule.

“Do you plan on having it all raised by the end of three years?” Thanos asked.

Both Cox and Johnson replied, “Yes.”

More information about the proposed new senior center is available on the City’s website.

Overheard Things Said at the Gulfport City Council June 20 Meeting

By Monroe Roark

This is a sample of things overhead at the June 20 Gulfport Council meeting:

Overheard About Life in Gulfport

“I moved to Gulfport about four years ago. In my wildest dreams, if I thought a human being could have as much fun as I’m having in Gulfport right now, I can’t imagine it. Thank you all for what you do to make this happen and maintain it. Here’s a little song about Gulfport.” –Berkeley Grimball, guitar in hand, just before singing that song

“If you can’t smile after that song, check your pulse.” –Susan Gore

Overheard About Memorial Day

“I’m just so amazed that living in such a small patriotic city with a dedicated veterans park, we have no formal ceremony for Memorial Day. I hope this will never happen, not another single year. If it needs to be led by the residents, then please tell us that. I think it’s a shame that for all of our veterans who gave their lives for us to have our freedom, we don’t acknowledge them in this city.” –Karen

Love

Overheard About the Marina

“I see in the budget here that you have $80,000 for a marina plan. I hope it’s not anything to do with all the money that was spent on a marina master plan some time before, and you’ll use this money ... to see what the community wants in the marina. On that last plan, no one I’ve talked to in the marina district is the least bit interested in that.

“Let’s do a Gulfport on the Edge-style community plan of what they want in the marina, and while we’re about it, maybe we could throw in the $30,000 that somehow you want to do something with Osgood Point – the only stuff I’ve heard is someone wants to take out all the trees and put in grass. There’s no way any of us want any more grass. We don’t want to get rid of trees, and we don’t want to get rid of the hill. With $110,000 we could have a great community event, crowdsourcing, we could have a party, you could even cater it for us. I’m sure you’d get the whole community, the marina district and the rest of the city, out to tell you what they really would like there.”

Mary Hanrahan

Overheard About Public Works

“Gulfport is a very giving, caring community, as evidenced by the many fundraisers we’ve had recently. I am also aware that many people in Gulfport are in great need mostly due to health reasons. I’ll probably get run out of town for saying this, but I think the city opened a real can of worms by agreeing to close a downtown city street for a fundraiser for one person when we have hundreds of people here in need. If you’re not willing to do it for all, is it fair to do it for one? Even when we have the fine arts festival, which brings in thousands of people, that street is not closed. I hope you’ll reconsider doing that in the future.” — Karen

Love

“I used the bathroom today at Chase Park. It was the softest toilet paper I have ever used at a public facility. Seriously. I just wanted to acknowledge whoever budgeted and chose that, because usually when you’re in a public location it’s not like that. Thank you.” –Lauren

Stern