HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated May 27, 2025To:Mayor and City Council Members
From:Steven L. Schainker
Date:May 27, 2025
Subject:Request to Approve $1,000 to Sponsor the Juneteenth Celebration
Item No. 11
MEMO
The City Council has received the attached request from Moses Ward, President
of the Ames branch of the NAACP, to authorize the expenditure of $1,000 for the
sponsorship of the Juneteenth Celebration, which is scheduled for Saturday,
June 14, 2025, at Bandshell Park from 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. This annual
event is open to the public where free food, games, and entertainment will be
offered to celebrate this national holiday.
This same request was approved by the City Council last year. It seems to be
consistent with the City Council's goals of fostering community participation and
engagement as well as promoting city-wide events.
A question has been raised whether an expenditure of City funds for this type of
event is allowed under a law that was passed by the state legislature in this
session. The City Attorney has advised that if this expenditure is made prior to
the end of next month, then it is allowable, since the new legislation does not go
into effect until July 1, 2025.
Assuming the City Council desires to continue the support of this community
celebration, then the funding for this event should come from the City Council
Contingency Account.
ATTACHMENT(S):
M. Ward -2025 Ames Story County Juneteenth Sponsor Request- City of Ames 5-8-25-
attachment.pdf
City Clerk's Office 515.239.5105 main
515.239.5142 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
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#4120 – P.O. Box 529
Ames, Iowa 50010 2025 Ames/Story County Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 14th
May 8, 2025
Ames Mayor and City Council
Attention: Steve Schainker, City Manager
PO Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
Greetings Mr. Schainker,
First and foremost, we thank the City of Ames for sponsoring the 3rd Ames/Story County Juneteenth Celebration
Event. Because of your support, we were able to provide free food, games, and entertainment to approximately 250
attendees and complimentary tables and chairs to 25 vendors to showcase their products and/or programs.
We are in the midst of planning our 4th Annual Ames/Story County Juneteenth Celebration. Below are some of
the highlights:
• Saturday, June 15th, will be our Juneteenth Celebration at Bandshell Park, from 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
We are planning again to provide free food, games, and entertainment, and we are soliciting more
organizations and vendors to showcase their products and programs.
• Additionally, we are expanding our educational outreach, where we are excited to partner with downtown
businesses this year and the Ames Public Library to highlight the history of Juneteenth and the contributions
of local citizens of color to our community. Posters and game cards will be in shop windows (available at the
Ames Public Library [APL] and some shops). When completed, the cards can be traded for a prize at APL.
There will also be a historical lecture on Iowa's colored troops by a descendant of one who served, in
cooperation with APL and the Ames History Museum.
One of the major impacts of our 3rd Ames/Story County Juneteenth event was the feedback from individuals
and families that they could not believe that food was free and that this was their meal for the day. Again, we are
excited to have the opportunity to have this type of impact on the needs of citizens in our community, in addition to
other fun activities being planned. We know that the City of Ames embraces helping to address food insecurities by
promoting events that foster that philosophy. Attached are the 2025 Sponsorship Levels with Benefits. We hope that
we can again count on your sponsorship of a minimum of $1,000 for this year’s event so that we can continue to
foster community participation and engagement in this nationally celebrated holiday.
We want to thank the City of Ames in advance for your consideration of this partnership and sponsorship
opportunity. Checks can be made payable to the Ames Branch of the NAACP, Unit #4120, and sent to PO Box 529,
Ames, IA 50010.
We look forward to hearing from you soon. For event updates, visit our website at www.amesianaacp.org.
If you have questions, need additional information, or an invoice, and would like a table at the event, please
contact Vanessa Baker-Latimer at juneteenth4amesstory@gmail.com.
In partnership,
Moses A. Ward, President
Ames (IA) NAACP Branch
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2025 Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
Freedom Sponsor: $1,000
• Logo on Banner displayed at the event.
• Logo on Website and all social media platforms
• 3-minute greeting at the beginning of the event
• 2 verbal recognitions during the event
Liberty Sponsor: $500
• Logo on Banner displayed at the event.
• Logo on Website and all social media platforms
• One verbal recognition during the event
Unity Sponsor: $250-$400
• Logo on Banner displayed at the event.
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