Dear Editor:

IAPD and IPRA are not only striving to better represent it's membership through the services they offer, but they have both been involved in projects to improve the public's awareness of Illinois Park and Recreation agencies and the quality of life they provide.

As members of the Joint Public Awareness Committee, we are undertaking a special statewide public relations event that will serve everyone's interests—Arbor Day. This Arbor Day, April 24, 1981, can be one of the most important opportunities for a person to do something for their natural heritage.

All Illinois Park and Recreation agencies along with the Illinois Association of Park Districts, Illinois Park and Recreation Association, Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation and Governor Thompson are encouraged to participate in a statewide education fund raising event to plant trees in their parks.

It will work like this: Through the help and guidance of the above organizations and an organization called Promothon, Inc., each agency that participates will individually promote this event in their community. Each agency will sign up staff members, service groups, school children, community leaders and others to take part in a jog-a-thon. Each participant will secure sponsors from environmental groups, businesses, service groups, friends, neighbors, family members, etc.

Once the sponsor sheets have been filled out and returned to the agency runners can be assigned a time to report to a local indoor or outdoor jogging track. The pledges can be used as a tax deductible donation for each 1/4 mile completed in a one hour period. The participants laps are recorded and the information is forwarded to Promothon, Inc. Promothon, Inc. will program all information to minimize the participating agencies involvement. Notifications will be mailed to all sponsors of their runners results. A follow-up billing will go out two weeks later. All donations will be mailed directly to the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation in Highland Park, Illinois, and held in trust for each participating agency. A computer printout will be compiled with a breakdown of all funds by participant and by participating agency. Once the totals are known all agencies will be notified of their results and the amount of funds collected for them.

By submitting a paid invoice for trees purchased, and planted, the agency will be reimbursed for the cost not to exceed 70% of the funds raised. The remainder will go to Promothon, Inc. and to the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation.

Funds which will go to the Foundation will cover the Joint Public Awareness Committee's expenses for this event plus generate a surplus which will allow the Foundation to assume a more active role in promoting parks and recreation in Illinois.

This is a tremendous opportunity for IAPD, IPRA, and IPRF to receive positive public visibility in our communities. Every dollar raised will help improve our environment for generations to come.

When can any of us remember the last time our efforts on behalf of any of the above organizations were directly responsible for generating money to improve our individual communities?

A tree is a living legacy, give one a chance. For further information and necessary forms, please contact Ken Kutska, Wheaton Park District, or Rich Mays, Batavia Park District.

Help yourself out—Please, For Trees!

Sincerely,
Ken Kutska
Chairperson
Joint Public Awareness Committee

Illinois Parks and Recreation 32 January/February 1981