CRESTVIEW — The City Council is sticking to its stance on waiving no fees for public facility use.
That extended to Crestview mom Tina Bannon's request to waive a $250 rental fee for a March 8 fundraiser at Old Spanish Trail Park.
The council's plan for fiscal responsibility, and to avoid double standards, has been to deny waiver requests. Following city leaders' Monday-evening decision, three residents donated enough to cover the fee, Bannon said. She didn't want to reveal the donors' names.
That means Parents Together Okaloosa County, the organization Bannon heads, can present Stride into Safety, a March 8 fundraiser benefiting the school district.
More help needed
Only 83 of 195 county school buses have cameras installed, and the district needs $200,000 to outfit all buses.
School district officials have earmarked $42,000 for the cameras with donations from the Young Lawyers Association and from board member Cindy Frakes' discretionary fund.
Bannon hopes Stride into Safety will move the district closer to the goal, and provide students with a safer future.
It's a personal issue for Bannon, who alleged her daughter has fallen out of her seat at least twice when the bus driver braked unexpectedly, and once was punched by another student.
More help needed
Bannon seeks vendors and volunteers for the Stride into Safety. Vendors are also encouraged to donate items for a raffle.
"We are trying to keep it as local as possible and make it a family-friendly event," she said.
In addition, Bannon wants more residents to join Parents Together.
"I want this to be a district-wide (Parent Teacher Organization)," she said. "I just need the community to get behind me."
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Stride into Safety
WHEN: noon to4 p.m. March 8
WHERE: Old Spanish Trail Park, Crestview
CONTACT Tina Bannon, 496-4749 or parentstogether.oc@gmail.com, to volunteer
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mom gets unexpected support for school district fundraiser