Clubs Buy $900 in Stickers to Support Rec Scholarships
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Three local service organizations have come together to support the Hampton Parks and Recreation’s scholarship program by purchasing almost 100 of the newly-available resident stickers for their members.
The Hampton Rotary Club, Experience Hampton Inc., and the Hampton Lions Club all took part in the collective sticker purchase, the proceeds of which will help offset the cost of summer recreation programs for Hampton youth whose families are in need.
An impromptu letter-writing campaign initiated by Experience Hampton Inc. President John Nyhan helped to get things rolling, and the clubs did not hesitate to step up to the plate once the requests came in.
Hampton Rotary purchased a total of 50 stickers, with Experience Hampton Inc. purchasing 25 stickers and the Hampton Lions purchasing 15 stickers. The clubs distributed the stickers to their members at no charge.
“Between those three clubs, we received $900 for our scholarship program,” said Dyana Martin, director of the Hampton Parks and Recreation Department. “I can’t express how appreciative we are.”
The stickers feature an image of the Hampton Beach Marine Memorial (the “Lady Statue”) and are available for $10 each. Those currently being issued are good through 2013, and new stickers will be issued for the following year.
Residents have shown major support for the fund-raising effort through their purchase of the designer stickers, choosing them over the familiar generic-style beach parking/ transfer station decals.
"We’re up to over 500 now,” said Town Clerk Jane Marzinzik, who designed the sticker with her husband Dustin.
While most residents obtain their stickers when they come in to renew their automobile registrations, they are actually available at any time. For more information about the stickers, call the Hampton Town Clerk’s office at 926-0406; for more about the scholarships, call Hampton Parks & Recreation at 926-3932.
Hampton Patch
8:00 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
So Experience Hampton comes, hat in hand, each year looking for money from the taxpayers to support the Christmas Parade, but has enough money to buy $250 worth of parking stickers. And just who is going to receive the stickers? The taxpayers? I think not. More likely Experience insiders. Isn't it grand to be so generous with other peoples' money?
John Nyhan
11:38 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Very rarely do I particpate on comment boards but I feel a need this time due to the initial comment. Experience Hampton, Inc. is an organization made up of Hampton residents and business owners in town. I would guess that over 95% of members are taxpayers in town and those business owners that also live in Hampton pay both property and business taxes. So we are the taxpayers.... Also, the charter of Experience Hampton, Inc. was established to assist in the betterment of our community and those that live and work here. I find it sad that this person commenting feels it wrong for a community organization to "donate" to a cause that will help those families in town - remember - assist in the betterment of our community. As for the parade, what better way to bring the community together in a positive way during the Holiday season. Maybe our commenter should look to live in another community where people do not care about each other.
John Nyhan, President, Experience Hampton, Inc.
Dustin Marzinzik
7:16 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The decals were created for a good cause for the community for those less fortunate children in these tough economic times and are out in the offered for purchase or to take the free one. No one is being suckered in, no back door deals, this is straight up community members coming together to support their neighbors. Also, when you leave a comment you should sign your name to it, otherwise it holds no ground. I totally agree with Mr. Nyhan. Members of the community (like the first writer) who attempt to put a negative spin on a very generous cause are those members that have obviously never needed the forethought of this program and those people just frustrate the rest of us who are trying to do good for the community. It's unfortunate that you don't see past your own front yard. Dustin Marzinzik
Lee
9:50 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Having been involved with Experience Hampton since its inception, I am disheartened to read the above "unsigned" comment and like Mr Nyhan, I am usually not the type to respond to anonymous posts however that being said ; The commenter should think about joining our organization and Experience all that we do. We are not about "hat in our hands" donation collections for the parade. As John mentioned 95% of the members of this wonderful group are Hampton residents/business owners and taxpayers. The above commenter has the right in this country to simply say "no" when asked for a donation. We will continue our work and provide the Town of Hampton with wonderful community spirited activities and continue to assist those charities and organizations as we see fit. There is always one person who has negative things to say about just about everything, but I know, the members of Experience Hampton will sleep well at night knowing that thousands of people enjoy the work that we do and that children who normally would not get to participate in camps will be able to do so this year.
Lee Lowney