Joe Martinez, Ed.D., is a Doctor of Curriculum & Technology, a U.S. Military Veteran, and a San Benito native.
In previous commentaries, I suggested ways to enhance tourism and raise our city’s profile by highlighting our resacas and honoring local heroes like Freddy Fender, Bobby Morrow, and Dolly Vinsant with memorial statues.
Therefore, I decided that fundraising is essential to reach this goal. Poverty is widespread in our city, so by moving our objectives online, we can raise the necessary funds to accomplish our mission.
Our tax dollars are essential for funding social programs, city improvements, and education, so raising funds for a cause makes a lot of sense.
Therefore, I suggest creating a GoFundMe account, managed in coordination with the City and overseen by one of their representatives, possibly through the San Benito Economic Development Corporation or the Chamber of Commerce, to raise funds in honor of our local heroes.
A GoFundMe account is a platform that allows individuals or organizations to raise money for causes such as medical bills, community projects, or education. Someone or an organization can create an account on the GoFundMe website using their email or social media to start fundraising.
Once established, the campaign should clearly state the cause and fundraising goal, along with photos and videos. GoFundMe charges a 2.9 percent processing fee plus a 30-cent per-transaction fee.
A GoFundMe campaign provides a clear way to reach our fundraising goals and can effectively rally community support and participation.
This brings us back to what I discussed earlier: commemorating our local heroes and heroines.
Honoring our local heroes draws tourists and boosts our city’s reputation. Visitors love taking photos with historical figures to share later, and memorable visits can boost interest in our city.
Funds raised for Freddy Fender, Bobby Morrow, and Dolly Vinsant memorial statues will help showcase San Benito. By coming together and using GoFundMe, we can attract more visitors, support local businesses, and build a brighter future for our city.
By strengthening our identity, we can create unique attractions that generate revenue and tax dollars. Together with GoFundMe, we can boost tourism, support local businesses, and help secure our city’s future.
1 comment
1st. THE CITY SHOULD NOT HANDLE ANY MONEY WHEN DEALING WITH A VETERAN MEMORIAL. Money tends to go missing or re-allocated for a different pet project.
2nd. How is it possible that the city or the EDC finds the money to pay for a memorial for Freddy Fender along with the burial plot and the city water tower, but struggling to find money to honor our veterans.
An independent commission should be created by private citizens, both veterans and supporters, to come up with a tribute. The city’s involvement should be that of helping with any permits or any other issues that might arise from it. They can start by actually having a serious Memorial Day event rather than just a few city employees, cleaning the city cemetery and identifying veteran burial plots, and actually doing a Veteran’s Day parade or July 4th parade that just doesn’t include a few veterans walking down the street. Have the city do that first and then focus on collecting money.. that seems to be the first thing they want to do.. collect money and then nothing gets done.