FLOWER MOUND, TX, Feb. 8, 2011 — SIM Auxiliary Inc. raised more than $10,000 in 2010, its first full year in existence, to support Flower Mound’s Seniors in Motion program.
“We exceeded our own expectations,” said Mary Kay Walker, president of SIM Auxiliary. “That’s more than $10,000 after all expenses. We have big plans for that money as the SIM program moves into a standalone senior center in late May or early June.”
The year got rolling for SIM Auxiliary in the spring, when the group was certified as a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS, meaning donations are tax-deductible.
In June, the CoServ Charitable Foundation awarded the group a $5,250 startup grant. SIM Auxiliary is limited to using the grant to produce brochures, build a Web site and purchase computer equipment and supplies. Through December, SIM Auxiliary had spent $4,166.88 of the CoServ grant. The biggest expenditures were on a laptop computer and the group’s web site, www.flowermoundseniors.org.
The group’s only other expenses in 2010, outside the targeted CoServ startup grant and the 501(c)3 filing fee, were $750.75 related to the group’s sock hop fund-raiser in November and $58.63 for a post office box, stamps and other ongoing miscellaneous expenses.
On the positive side of the ledger, the CoServ grant enabled the group to produce brochures promoting its membership program, which raised $2,435 in 2010. The roster of member supporters in 2010 included 11 annual memberships ($15 for an individual, $25 for a family) and eight lifetime memberships (starting at $100).
“Boosting our membership ranks is a major goal in 2011,” Mrs. Walker said. “Larger donors want to see a groundswell of community support. We saw that in 2010, but we want to be able to point to a long list of member supporters.”
SIM Auxiliary also received $1,500 in unrestricted gifts; a $1,000 restricted gift designated to help purchase a sign for the new senior center at Cross Timbers Road and Morriss Road; and a $250 memorial gift – for a total of $2,750 in non-membership gifts.
In November, the group hosted its first major fund-raiser, “IHOP at the Sock Hop,” at Pinewood Hills senior living community, 3901 Kirkpatrick Lane in Flower Mound. More than 100 people attended the event, which included dancing, catering by IHOP, a silent auction featuring a state-of-the-art hearing device from American Hearing Laboratories, and a Family Feud game that pitted Town Council members against town employees (the employees won).
After the expenses of $750.75 for signs, prizes and partyware, the fund-raiser netted $5,282.53.
“We want to again thank everyone who attended, and especially our sponsors,” Mrs. Walker said.
In addition to IHOP, Pinewood Hills and American Hearing Laboratories, sponsors included: Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound, 8th Wonder Cupcakes, Cross Timbers Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Family Staffing Solutions, J & J Printing, Point Bank, Texans Credit Union, CoServ, Advanced Rehab Trust Home Health, Best Buy, Courtyard by Marriott Dallas/Lewisville, the Edward Jones Investments office of Paul Foutch, Excite! Gym, Cheer & Dance, Flower Mound Pharmacy & Herbal Alternatives, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Hilton Garden Inn of Denton, Indian Creek Golf Club, Kwik Kar Vista Ridge, Mature Texan Magazine, MetLife Home Mortgage, Rambling Oaks Courtyard, State Rep. Tan Parker, Tommy Chandler Uptown Music Review, Wells Fargo Advisors, AAA Texas, Autumn Leaves of Flower Mound, Brenda Lawson, Clare’s Creations Gemstones & Crystals, Community Care Compounding Pharmacy, Corner Bakery Café, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Edible Arrangements, Fish City Grill, Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Harry & David, Lake Village Nursing & Rehabilitation, Learning Express Toys, Lonestar Gourmet Popcorn, Lorraine Gonya, Massage Envy, Outback Steakhouse, Pinnacle Home Health, Sigma Signs and Printing, Target Flower Mound, Tierney’s Café and Tavern, and Tom and Mary Hayden.
Finally, a fund-raiser in December at Fish City Grill, 2628 Long Prairie Road, netted $375.80 for SIM Auxiliary.
“This job is easy with community support like that,” said Mrs. Walker, who is supported on the SIM Auxiliary board by vice president Paul Foutch, secretary Sandra Gonzalez, and treasurer Leo Gonya.
