Mayor’s ball raises $6,000 for scholarship

Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt will donate $6,000 raised at the 2011 Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Ball to the Everybody Plays! Recreation Scholarship program.

The second annual Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Ball was held at the Hilton Vancouver Washington on Dec. 31.

The scholarship program has helped people from low-income households to participate in fee-based recreation activities since 1992.

Before 2010 and the current economic downturn, the program was open to adults and senior citizens, but cuts forced the department to limit the program to benefit youth 18 and younger, and people with disabilities.

The Everybody Plays! Recreation Scholarship program depends upon grants and donor generosity.

To receive recreation scholarship assistance, click on the “catalog” button at http://vanclarkparks-rec.org and download a recreation scholarship application, or visit Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., or Firstenburg Community Center, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., to pick up an application. Proof of income is required.

To help the Everybody Plays! Recreation Scholarship Program, contact Cheri Martin at 360-619-1170 or cheri.martin@parksfoundation.us, or visit http://parksfoundation.us.