Helping Out: Crowd-funding efforts aid local projects

CASA GRANDE SENIOR PROJECT: INFLATABLE FOOTBALL TUNNEL FUNDRAISER

GoFundMe campaign hopes to raise $3500

What’s happening? Josh Grayson, of Casa Grande High School, is teaming up with fellow students Alun Masio and Brandon Cota to buy their school’s football team an inflatable “football tunnel,” which is something like a bounce house, only intended as a highly visual and entertaining way for a football team to make its entrance onto the field.

Who does it help? The fundraising effort, officially launched on Jan. 22, is what the three students have devised as their required Senior Project. The first big push is through a GoFundMe campaign the trio has established on line, and as of this week, the page has attracted donations from more than a dozen local donors, and has raised just under $1,000.

What else should we know? To help Grayson, Masio and Cota score a touchdown, visit GoFundMe.com, and search with the phrase “Football: Senior Project.”

LEADERSHIP PETALUMA – EASTSIDE HOMELESS CENTER FUNDRAISER

GoFundMe campaign aims to raise $10,000

What’s happening? The Leadership Petaluma class of 2018 is leading an effort to raise ten-grand toward a new Eastside center aiding Petaluma’s homeless and at-risk youth. A collaborative project of several local organizations – including the Salvation Army, Mentor Me, Petaluma People Services Center, and Petaluma City Schools - the Transitional Aged Youth Service Alliance has been chosen by the Leadership Petaluma Class of 2018 as its primary service project. One of the ways it plans to earn the money is through a GoFundMe campaign, which was up-and-running as of Feb. 6. Within two days, the site had raised $12,500. The center, which will be part of the Salvation Army Church, will include a community center portion with offices to be used for mentoring, case management, counseling and other services.

Who does it help? Once established, the planned shelter will help address the needs of at-risk and transitional age kids between 16 and 24, with focus on the homeless, unemployed, and out-of-school, addressing basic needs such as food and shelter, mental and physical health, and education and employment.

What else should we know? There are several ways to help. The GoFundMe campaign hopes to raise another $7,500. Donors can contribute by going to GoFundMe.com, and searching with the phrase “Help Leadership Petaluma.” Additionally, the Community Center needs cabinets, and mini-fridge, coffee makers and supplies, hot water kettles, mugs, coffee and tea, plus larger items such as a wall-mounted television, book shelves, storage cabinets, computer stations for doing homework, a couch and chairs, coffee tables, rugs and lamps. Questions and offers of in-kind donations can be directed to Mike Harris, member of the Leadership Petaluma 2018 class, at 707.773.3196 or e-mail him at mike4pet@aol.com.

STRUGGLING IN AMERICA: PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT FUNDRAISER

GoFundMe campaign hopes to raise $64,000 by Feb. 20

What’s happening? Petaluma photographer Owen Kahn is raising capital to fund an ambitious photography project and book, chronicling America’s homeless through black-and-white photographic portraits. It will be titled “Struggling in America.”

Who does it help? If fully funded, Kahn will travel the U.S., visiting homeless shelters and other facilities, capturing the stories and pictures of real people struggling with poverty.

What else should we know? The Kickstarter campaign ends on Feb. 20. Kahn has raised nearly $4,000 so far, but according to Kickstarter’s all-or-nothing rules, the project must reach its $64,000 target in order to be funded. Visit Kickstarter.com and search with the phrase “Struggling in America.”