MANCHESTER, NH – On Feb. 26 members of the Rotary Club of Manchester invested some sweat equity at the Manchester Police Athletic League/Michael Briggs Community Center, currently under renovation as part of the Building on Hope project.
Many of Manchester’s youth as well as those from surrounding towns, have participated in one or more of the programs offered by MPAL. The majority of youth come from inner-city or lower income families and the center offers an alternative to at-risk behavior and encourages positive relationships between law enforcement and young people.
The 16,500-square-foot community center operates five days a week to serve approximately 8,600 at-risk youth that live within one mile of the center, located at 409 Beech St. In 2007 the building was renamed the Manchester Police Athletic League/Michael Briggs Community Center in honor of fallen Officer Michael Briggs, who was gunned-down in the line of duty in 2006.
The Rotary is committed to community service and provides grants and scholarships as well as personal service, in honor of the organization’s motto, “service above self.”
A GoFundMe site has been launched to raise $100,000 toward the renovations, which should be completed sometime in late spring. You can donate, or learn more here.
Previous Building on Hope projects include
- 2010: The White House renovation for Easter Seals
- 2012: Manchester Girls Inc
- 2014: Opportunity Networks, in Amherst
Businesses that donate to CDFA-approved projects can receive at least 75 percent of that contribution back in the form of a state business tax credit. For example, a donor making a $10,000 donation to CDFA on behalf of MPAL will receive a state tax credit in the amount of at least $7,500. The tax credit may be applied against the donating company’s business profits tax, business enterprise tax and/or the insurance premium tax.
The donation may also be eligible for treatment as a state and federals charitable contribution. The contributing company may carry forward the credit for up to five years. The company can select which business tax and how much of their credit to apply towards their taxes in any given year. To take advantage of this opportunity, letters of support must be received prior to April 30, 2016.
In addition to financial support, materials and skilled labor volunteers are needed in the form of carpenters, electricians, painters, framers, flooring and countertop installers, site managers for a full day or more, kitchen equipment, exercise equipment, office and common area furniture, doors, hardware, casings, t-shirts and more. Individuals with such skills or physical material available for donation, can contact volunteer coordinator Sue Bee at sueannbee22@gmail.com or visit buildingonhope.com/get-involved.
