The RAM needs your votes
by CLIFF AND NANCY HILL
The future home of the Rockford Area Museum. Your votes can make it even better than envisioned.
On the wings of last summer’s improbable win in the nationwide America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest, the Rockford community is being asked by the Rockford Historical Society to rally around their entry in the “Building Our Community Contest”.
For 50 years Erhardt Construction has been proud to build some of the most recognizable buildings in our respective communities. They are even more proud to be a part of West Michigan which, as we all know in our hearts, as a great place to live, work and do business.
In recognition of their 50th Anniversary, Erhardt Construction and its project partners wish to recognize and support the work of people and organizations that are serving others in Kent and Ottawa counties.
Together with their project partners, Erhardt is giving away a construction project and prizes totaling $50,000 to area non-profit organizations through their “Building Our Community” contest.
Instead of celebrating their achievements, Erhardt invites everyone to join them in honoring the organizations doing truly great work in the greater Grand Rapids community. Erhardt’s hope is to reach non-profit organizations that have a vision for a project or facility improvement that will help them accomplish their mission.
Talk about a timely contest. As we all know, the Rockford Historical Society has been engaged in a yearlong campaign to raise funds to move the Rockford Area Museum (RAM) from its current inadequate facility. To date the fund-raising campaign has been successful enough to prompt the Rockford City Council to enter into a lease agreement with the RAM that would allow them to relocate the museum into the vacant 63rd District Court building adjacent to City Hall. The move would allow the RAM to, in large measure, keep the storied history of the Rockford community alive for future generations.
Costs for such a project are substantial and a $45,000 first prize in winning the “Building Our Community” contest would be a Godsend.
This is Rockford, we can do this, here’s how:
The contest, to be conducted in two rounds, is similar to last year’s America’s Favorite Farmers Market contest. Votes may be cast by registering and following the simple instructions online at www.erhardtcc.com/community/vote.php.
You may vote for the Rockford Area Museum’s entry in the contest once a day from the day you read this in the Squire until the end of Round 1 on July 13. To pull this off, it is absolutely important to establish a once a day voting routine. Every time you cast a vote you show your RAM pride in all things Rockford. The contest allows a dedicated populace to individually cast multiple votes, so why not take advantage of the rules?
At then end of Round 1, the top 5 organizations will be announced to the public. Round 2 will commence on July 23 and end on August 17. The public will be allowed, again, to vote online for the Round 2 finalist organizations competing for the grand prize.
Winning non-profit organizations of the “Building Our Community” contest will receive:
• Grand Prize: $45,000 toward a construction or renovation project
• First Runner Up: $2,000 cash donation
• Second Runner Up: $1,500 cash donation
• Third Runner Up: $1,000 cash donation
• Fourth Runner Up: $1,000 cash donation
Everyone wins in this contest. It doesn’t cost a cent, only a daily moment of your time online. The reward in winning this contest is substantial for the Rockford community and the RAM.
The Rockford Squire challenges its readership to once again demonstrate their Ram Pride. Vote, tell a friend, enlist the support of your co-workers and any organizations you may belong to. WE CAN DO THIS!
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