PACE uses fish fry to raise funds for community improvements
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
David Camphouse/Pike Press
The Perry Association for Community Enrichment (PACE) held a fish fry fundraiser at the Perry United Methodist Church on Friday evening. Organizers said at least 135 meals were served, raising over $2,000 for community enrichment activities in Perry. PACE members (left to right) Jessica Strang, Lori Berquist, and Erin Clayton are shown serving fish fry attendees Jill and Eric Kunzeman. Rory Phillips is standing in the background.
The Perry Association for Community Enrichment (PACE) held a fish fry fundraiser at the Perry United Methodist Church on Friday evening.
Organizers said at least 135 meals were served, raising over $2,000 for community enrichment activities in Perry. According to PACE organizer and board member Nikki Mountain, attendance at the fish fry exceeded the group’s expectations.
“Honestly, we served a lot more meals than we thought we were going to,” Mountain said. “We probably could have raised more money, but it’s always hard to predict how many people will come out.”
All of the catfish cooked for the fundraiser was donated to PACE by local company Phillips Fish and Net.
Mountain said that the fish fry fundraiser was designed to help underwrite PACE events throughout the year, including Perry’s annual Pioneer Day Festival.
“We thought we better do a fundraiser, so we planned the fish fry,” Mountain said. “The fundraiser was just for PACE programming in general – including Pioneer Day, which is our big one.”
Mountain also said that PACE is in the final stages of organizing as a formal non-profit organization, which will allow the group to more effectively fundraise and apply for grants that could benefit the community.
“We have put together our executive board, and we have a board of directors,” Mountain said. “We just applied for non-profit 501(c)(3) status in March, so we are hoping to hear back soon.”
Mountain said that PACE has several ideas for community events that the group would like to coordinate throughout the year.
PACE’s goal, Mountain said, is to make Perry a more attractive place to live for current and prospective residents.
“What we’re trying to do is – just like the organization’s name says – provide enrichment for the community,” Mountain said. “Ultimately, we would like to have a community center in town.”
“We want to provide free and low-cost community enrichment.”
