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Dunkirk’s hanging basket project a community effort

Submitted Photo Dunkirk’s hanging basket project expanded to Fourth Street in 2017.

Dunkirk’s downtown hanging baskets will double in number from the original 20, to 40 this year, thanks to the enthusiasm and generous donations from many individuals, clubs, businesses, churches and civic organizations. It is truly a community effort that makes possible this on-going project of the Beautification Committee of Revitalize Dunkirk, Inc.

The committee is pleased to announce that in 2018, eight new baskets will grace the 500 block of Central Avenue. Flowers will hang on all Central Avenue light posts, from Third Street up to the Dunkirk Library at Sixth Street, as well as on Fourth Street, from the corner of Washington Avenue near Northern Chautauqua Catholic School, up to Deer Street by Lake Shore Savings Bank.

Revitalize Dunkirk wishes to thank all donors, past and present, as well as city officials and personnel whose cooperation and assistance are vital. The project could not happen without the Parks Department employees who water the baskets, as well as transport them to and from the greenhouse, and hang, take down, and store them each season.

Each year, area greenhouse professionals provide Revitalize Dunkirk’s Beautification Committee with crucial advice and assistance regarding flower selections and care instructions that help the plantings survive under challenging conditions that often include wind, full sun, and long, dry weekends.

A significant grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation jump-started this effort in 2015 and allayed concerns about raising enough funds to cover initial costs. Patient and helpful staff at NCCF also handled all donations, disbursements and accounting for the project until September 2017, when the organization achieved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status and Revitalize Dunkirk members were able to take over these tasks.

Revitalize Dunkirk is grateful to all project donors, past and present. In 2017 these were: Add Lumber True Value; Diane Andrasik; David Banach, DDS, of Chautauqua Endodontics; BECC Electric; Blasdell Pizza; Bud ‘n Bloom Garden Club; Casale Plumbing & Heating; Central Station Restaurant; Chadwick Bay NYS Women, Inc.; Chadwick Bay Vision Care; Community Bank, NA; D & F Travel; Dom Polski Club; Susan Drag; Dunkirk Animal Clinic; Dunkirk Exempts; Dunkirk Flavors, Inc.; Dunkirk American Legion Post 62; Dunkirk Professional Firefighters; Dunkirk School 7 PTO; Marsha R. Finley; James and Kathrine Fisher; and First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk.

Thanks also to these 2017 donors: Jennifer l. Foley, DDS; Mark Forbes; Friendship Baptist Church; G & E Tents, Tables and Chairs; Carol and Thomas Gregoreski; Robert Harris; Allen and Judy Hollander; Holy Trinity Church; Dave and Janet Jagoda; Kosciuszko Polish Home Assn.; Arlene Kuhn; Lake Shore Savings Bank; Lakeside Precision; Barb and Jim Lehnen; Ceila A. Lloyd, DDS PC; Matt’s News; McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home; Midtown Realty; Nichols Hometown Service; North Chautauqua Dental; Roger and Mary Lou Orcutt; Jeffery G. Passafaro; Larry and Sharon Perdue; Chris and Tonia Piede; Putnam Record Agency; John and Shirley Scott; Raman Sood, MD; Irene Strychalski; The Studio Hair Shop; Ronald and Janis Szot; Cindy Tuning and Ted Wronski; JoAnn L. Vacanti; and several others who wish to remain anonymous.

Fundraising for 2018 is underway. Anyone wishing to contribute may mail donations to Revitalize Dunkirk, Inc., Attn: Hanging Basket Project, P. O. Box 107, Dunkirk, NY 14048. A donor form with mailing instructions can be downloaded at www.revitalizedunkirk.com or can be requested by emailing revitalizedunkirk@gmail.com.

Revitalize Dunkirk, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization committed to bringing planning ideas for improved urban living to residents and elected officials of the city of Dunkirk. Focus areas include historic heritage, physical infrastructure, commerce, community pride and vision.

Revitalize Dunkirk meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the SUNY Tech Incubator, 214 Central Ave., Dunkirk, and often include guest speakers on topics of interest to our community. Area residents interested in its mission are welcome to attend.

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