FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- West Springfield, Mass.   -- April 11, 2011      

 

More Info:  Catherine Pappas

Communications Manager

(413) 205-5041

Info Line (413) 205-5115

BIG E DONATES $184,067

TO THE BIG E/WEST SPRINGFIELD TRUST FUND

 

Eastern States Exposition has donated $184,067 to The Big E/West Springfield Trust Fund, the largest contribution to the fund to date. It represents 1% of the organization’s gross revenues for 2010. Including this year’s gift, Exposition contributions since the fund’s inception in 1994 now total $2,497,845.

 

ESE President Wayne McCary said, “The struggling economy poses many challenges for our host town. The Big E/West Springfield Trust is an avenue that allows the Exposition to share its success and continue to support projects that will help the residents of West Side now and in the future.”

 

Trustees of the Fund are: West Springfield Mayor Edward J. Gibson, ESE Chairman of the Board Donald R. Chase, and Attorney Mary Paier Powers. Each year, the committee appropriates a portion of the donation to agencies benefiting education, youth and the elderly of the community, leaving the remainder to accrue.

 

Funds donated to The Big E/West Springfield Trust in 2010 resulted in the allocation of $45,268 and included grants for projects such as: Park & Recreation fee waivers; Senior Center physical fitness and social programs; Melissa Harrington Hughes 9/11 monument; Mittineague Congregational Church family training seminars; West Side Helping Hands supplies; West Side High School camera equipment; Historical Commission transportation/horse & driver expenses; Mittineague School Smart Boards; Middle School wireless SMART Responses; Town of West Springfield dog park; West Springfield Volleyball Booster Club for a volleyball system and referee ladder; and others.

 

Exposition payments to West Springfield grow each year and in 2010 were more than $1.3 million including taxes, fire and police protection, licenses and fees.

 

2010

Real Estate Taxes                                       Police Protection & Training                                    Fire Protection & Ambulance Service                               Water & Sewer Fees                                                     Licenses & Fees                                                                Inspectors                                                                                Excise Taxes     2010 Big E/W. Springfield Trust Fund donation (1% of 2009 revenues)   Total

$ 405,661 $ 381,698 $ 260,112 $ 67,555 $ 44,308 $ 16,378 $ 1,078  $ 1,176,789 $     177,680   $  1,354,469

                                                    

                                         

In 2010, the Exposition waived rental and parking fees for agricultural shows as well as special events such as West Springfield High School graduation and the town’s Summer Concert Series on Storrowton Village Green. Town residents also receive free parking for year-round events.

 

In-kind services and donations include providing free Big E admission for all town students on West Springfield Day, a value of over $51,000.

 

In addition, ESE loans and transports its ticket booths to the town for use by the Rotary Club and Town of West Springfield at West Side’s Taste of the Valley each June and provides sponsorship and marketing support.

 

Eastern States Exposition is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit federally designated corporation committed to excellence in providing year-round opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, education, industry and family entertainment. It is host to more than 100 annual events and the largest fair in the northeast.

 

Dates for this year’s Big E are Sept. 16 - Oct. 2. Visit www.TheBigE.com for information, join our mailing list, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.