EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT FUNDRAISING FOR LLBFL BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT FUNDRAISING FOR LLBFL BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK.

September 27, 2012

Letter to the Washington Post:

Dear Writers, Editorialists and Owners of the Washington Post,

The Washington Post seems to have no idea what it takes to help a community like Sterling.

This "attack, attack, attack" is standard fare for liberals who hate conservatives. You seem to treat other communities better.

So if you get something wrong about Sterling I hope you can do follow-up or simply will let other people in the media figure it out.

I admit politics and fundraising efforts can be confusing even for those of us who work at it.

It is understandable some people can be confused or misled and even reporters ask me to explain an ambitious fundraising program involving many years of work on the part of many people and only a few thousand people know or remember how it all started.

I ask the Post to consider some missed facts that would clear up confusion caused by the lack of reporting on the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League fundraising program.

And there is nothing illegal or improper about asking for support-- using my tax supported district funds-- for charities and youth sports leagues.

I have explained it more than one Washington Post reporter and in the current reporting omitted the history of the fundraising challenge that the LLBFL presented to me, Sterling and Loudoun.

The actual Eugene Delgaudio fundraising letter is the primary appeal for my efforts. Print it in full like you have printed my other fundraising letters. In an article about LLBFL fundraising, you should do that. Its fair and balanced.

I ask that the reporting reflect my years long history of fundraising for LLBFL and the context of any fundraising for my office effort has been guided by this challenge from the LLBFL, along with the other normal pressing duties of office and constituent service.

My efforts include phoning, visiting, letter writing to thousands -- several times the entire population of Sterling has gotten a letter, and frequent plugs or promotions in my emails. This is a partial list.

These materials are in the custody of the Washington Post aready!

I first announced a fundraising program on February 22, 2007 and started fundraising slowly but consistently as a part time endeavor from that point on.

There are some ceremonies posted where I witness a donation to the football league after I have nagged, encouraged or simply written a major donor. Most donations were simply sent to the league after being written, contacted or called by me and the intention of letters were to direct donations to the league.

One final point, please consider a donation to the LLBFL yourself or ask a member of the editorial board who would support a local football league. Thank you.

Please send your check directly to

Lower Loudon Boys Football League
Attn. Nick Macioce, Field Improvement Chairman
Post Office Box 163
Sterling, VA 20167

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Eugene Delgaudio
Sterling District Supervisor

Statement from me on Februrary 22, 2007 announcing the news conference.
http://joineugene.com/news/article.php?article=2959

Photos of the News Conference February 22, 2007 are posted at
http://joineugene.com/photogallery/gallery.php?id=210

Donor Honored On Football Field For Large Donation, September 14, 2007
http://joineugene.com/photogallery/gallery.php?id=253

New lights at Bill Allen Field 2007
http://joineugene.com/photogallery/gallery.php?id=247

Donor Presents Large Check To Football League 2011
http://joineugene.com/photogallery/gallery.php?id=557

February 22, 2007 (Original Statement made on that date, posted here today)

Statement by Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio

Good afteroon. My name is Eugene Delgaudio and I serve as your Sterling District representative on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. I am joined by Nick Macioce, Chairman of the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League's "Field Improvement Project," Gary Kidwell, President of LLBFL and Gerald Curl, Sponsorship Coordinator.

Over the last 43 years, the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League and cheerleading programs have served over 10,000 Sterling boys and girls. Not only have they taught teamwork and discipline to two generations of Sterling children, they feed the local high school football programs including multiple championship Park View Patriots team. They have also produced four NFL players. More importantly, they provide boys and girls a needed alternative to gangs and drugs.

But after decades of service, Bill Allen Field needs renovations and the LLBFL has outgrown its facilities. Over 500 boys participate in football, and nearly 200 girls take part in cheerleading. Not only has the program grown exponentially since they began at Bill Allen Field, hundreds of children, parents and coaches use the facilities to practice five nights every week for the nearly 30 games that week.

Today we are announcing a new Facilities Improvement Project to install improved lighting, replace worn bleachers and, eventually, give our kids the playing and practice fields they need. As you can imagine, this will require support from the Sterling community, and that is why we are coming to you.

The first phase of the project will be renovating Bill Allen Field's bleachers and outdoor lighting. These are immediate needs, and they will cost an estimated $250,000. Replacement of the worn bleachers is estimated at $170,000. Replacing the lights will cost an estimated $65,000, and we must come up with the money by July 1st.

The LLBFL has been supported by the Sterling community for the last 43 years. They are not funded by the county, and there are no fields in the County's parks and rec system that can serve their tremendous needs.

That is why the Field Improvement Project is crucial and that is why I am giving it my full support. Until this project is finished, I will be visiting business and civic leaders to ask them for their support, and I will by encouraging my Sterling neighbors to help out, as well. We cannot afford to lose the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League and four decades of service they have given to our children.

This is more than a plan to make much-needed repairs. This is an investment in our community, and our children. The LLBFL has turned out 43 years of outstanding men and women, and with new challenges facing our children, they are needed now more than ever.

I encourage all of Loudoun County to donate generously so the LLBFL can continue to serve our community and our children.
# # #

October 14, 2007

Statement by Nick Macioce, Chairman,
LLBFL "Field Improvement Project"

Lower Loudoun Boys Football League would like to thank Supervisor Delgaudio for his support of this fundraising initiative.

Our 43-year old league has been able to survive over the years through the efforts of many volunteers, players, parents, friends and supporters. Our president Gary Kidwell has been the president of LLBFL for the past 18- years and along with hundreds of volunteers has worked tirelessly every year to make the program what it is today.

Throughout the years LLBFL has always strived to make this youth sports program affordable for the families of Eastern Loudoun County, so much so that our player registration fees only generate about one third of our operating income. The remaining two thirds of our revenue comes from league fund-raising, sponsorships and revenue generated by our admissions and snack bar at Bill Allen Field and all income is put right back into the program to pay our operating expenses. Also worth mentioning is that other than the use of practice fields, LLBFL does not receive any funding from the County.

As one could imagine, operating under such tight financial conditions makes it difficult to undertake any major improvement projects, which over time become unavoidable. To that end, we are grateful for the support of Supervisor Delgaudio and kindly ask for the support of the Community so that we can continue to provide the youth of Eastern Loudoun County with a first rate sports experience.
# # #

Copy of Actual Letter Sent To Business Leaders, Potential Donors On A Non-partisan basis and
community leaders (Years 2007 to 2011) Updated Letter available.

<<DATE>>

Dear <<NAME>>,

Over 700 local boys and girls are in danger of losing an important part of their lives.

Can you help me make sure that doesn't happen?

Over the last 43 years, the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League and cheerleading programs have served over 10,000 Sterling boys and girls.

Not only have they taught teamwork and discipline to two generations of Sterling children, they feed the local high school football programs including multiple championship Park View Patriots team and have produced four NFL players.

More importantly, they provide boys and girls a needed alternative to gangs and drugs.

Over 500 boys participate in football, and nearly 200 girls take part in cheerleading. Not only has the program grown exponentially since they began at Bill Allen Field, hundreds of children, parents and coaches use the facilities to practice five nights every week for the nearly 30 games that week.

But after decades of rigorous service, Bill Allen Field badly needs renovations and the LLBFL has outgrown its facilities.

The wooden poles that hold the field's lights are in danger of falling down and must be repaired.

The field's wooden bleachers must be replaced with aluminum ones with handicapped seating, or the LLBFL may lose their insurance.

It won't be cheap.

The required bleachers cost an estimated $170,000. Repairing the lighting costs an estimated $80,000.

They must raise $65,000 of that by July 1st.

That's $250,000 in needed repairs, with $65,000 of that needed in just a few short months.

They are in a crunch. Unless they can fund these badly needed repairs, they may be forced to cut back on their program.

Their "Field Improvement Project" hopes to raise the funds for these needed repairs, so they can continue to produce great kids.

I hope you can help them continue to fully serve our kids with your most generous contribution of $10,000, $5,000, $1,000, or whatever you can afford.

The LLBFL does not receive any government funds. They do not use government facilities for practices or games.

The LLBFL is a private, community-supported organization staffed by unpaid volunteers who sacrificially spend their time coaching and managing the group.

The LLBFL charges a small registration fee for players as well as a modest admission fee to games. They try to keep their registration and ticket prices as low as possible so as many families as possible can participate.

That means they must hold various fundraising events throughout the year to offset the costs of just running the program. As you can imagine, the costs of these badly needed repairs are beyond their modest budget.

Although Sterling community businesses help support LLBFL, they cannot shoulder the weight of all of its financial needs.

That is why I am writing to you.

The less time the LLBFL board members and coaches have to spend raising funds, the more time they will have to invest directly in the lives of hundreds of young boys and girls in eastern Loudoun.

That is why the Field Improvement Project is crucial and that is why I am giving it my full support.

We cannot afford to lose the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League and four decades of service they have given to our children.

The Field Improvement Project is more than a plan to make badly needed repairs-it is an investment in our community, and our children.

You can see what is possible in the 10,000 outstanding men and women they have produced over the last 43 years.

And with new, greater, challenges facing our children they are needed now more than ever.

This organization represents and teaches the principles and habits you want to see in Loudoun County youth.

They teach kids discipline, respect and teamwork.

And they provide kids with a needed alternative to the growing problem of gangs and drugs.

Sterling needs the LLBFL now more than ever.

But with $250,000 in required repairs needed to keep Bill Allen Field operating, our kids will lose out if the LLBFL is forced to cut back its program.

With the field already operating at capacity, the lights must be repaired. If not, night games may have to be canceled.

The old wooden bleachers must be replaced with aluminum ones with handicapped seating, or they may lose their insurance. You know as well as I do you can't operate without insurance.

All together it's an estimated $250,000 in needed repairs. They must come up with $65,000 of that by July 1st.

That's a massive sum for a community group on a tight budget, with a policy of keeping registration as affordable as possible for our kids.

And that is why I am writing to you. The community must step up and help a group that has done so much to improve the lives of so many in our county.

I hope you can help the LLBFL continue to serve our kids with your most generous contribution of $10,000, $5,000, $1,000 or whatever you can afford. Please respond by mailing the reply form to LLBFL's volunteer Field Improvement Project Chairman Nick Macioce with your most generous donation.

I recognize your time is valuable and very limited. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this letter.

If you have any questions about this project, LLBFL, or anything else, please do not hesitate to call me. Or for more information about LLBFL, you can visit their website at www.llbfl.org.

You can reach me at my office at 703-771-5819 or at home at 703-421-4599.

Most Sincerely,

EUGENE A. DELGAUDIO
Loudoun County Board of Supervisors
Sterling District Supervisor

P.S. After 43 years of service, the Lower Loudoun Boys Football League's Bill Allen Field is badly in need of repairs.

Unless the LLBFL can come up with $250,000 for the required work, local boys and girls could lose a vital community group.

I hope you can help our kids with your most generous contribution of $10,000, $5,000, $1,000 or whatever you can afford.

From: <Insert Name>
<Insert Business>
<Insert Address>
<Insert State, Zip>

To: Lower Loudon Boys Football League
Attn. Nick Macioce, Field Improvement Chairman
Post Office Box 163
Sterling, VA 20167

Yes, Eugene, I want to donate to Lower Loudoun Boy's Football League Field Improvement Project! I am returning this reply form to project chairman Nick Macioce.

Over 700 kids make LLBFL a part of their lives. But unless the LLBFL can come up with $250,000 for needed repairs, our kids may lose this important community service.

Count me in to support LLBFL's project with my most generous contribution of:

_____$10,000 (Gold Sponsor)

_____$5,000 (Silver Sponsor)

_____$1,000 (Bronze Sponsor)

_____Other Amount of $_______

Make checks payable to "LLBFL"

Sponsors will be honored on a stone wall which will be constructed around the flag pole at Bill Allen Field. On this wall, there will be a list of the names of all Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors.

LLBFL is a tax exempt, non-profit organization formed for the purpose of training and maintaining a football league and promoting programs of physical fitness. Donations made to LLBFL are NOT tax deductible. This communication is authorized by LLBFL and is not in collaboration with any other entities.

RETURN ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO

Lower Loudon Boys Football League
Attn. Nick Macioce, Field Improvement Chairman
Post Office Box 163
Sterling, VA 20167