Local stores help Mat-Su Youth Court raise money

MAT-SU -- In a year of unforeseen budget cuts that could have crippled their program, Mat-Su Youth Court volunteers have teamed with local Carrs grocery stores for a special fundraiser that should raise both money and awareness of Youth Court over the next few months.

This fundraiser has two steps. First, Mat-Su Youth Court volunteers will collect manufacturer's discount coupons and hang them on the matching product inside the Carrs' Palmer and Wasilla stores. Next, shoppers who select the coupon-carrying product will be asked at the check stand if they would like to donate the face value of the coupon to Mat-Su Youth Court. When the shopper says "yes" Carrs will handle the rest.

"I'm sure the success is based on how aggressive the kids are at bringing in the coupons," Carrs Wasilla Store Manager Terry Hegge said. "And from what I've seen, these kids are achievers -- I expect them to do well."

Hegge serves on the Youth Court advisory board and said he was brought into Mat-Su Youth Court's circle of adult friends by former Wasilla Police Chief Charlie Fannon. Hegge said the program helps the kids who are involved and also helps teens who are in trouble.

Having that sort of program mentioned at some of the busiest cash registers in the Valley certainly can't hurt.

"I hope [the coupon drive] will help with general awareness in the community as well. We want to help let people know about this non-profit and a really good program that helps the community," Hegge said.

Mat-Su Youth Court Executive Director Lisa Albert-Konecky wanted to thank Hegge and Carrs' parent company Safeway for assisting with the coupon drive.

"This is a real commitment from him, by being on our board and by Safeway for allowing us to use their store," Albert-Konecky said. "We won't really have time to talk about the program, but at least we get more people aware of how many local people are willing to contribute and get them talking about the program."

Mat-Su Youth Court needs local involvement more than ever this year, because the State of Alaska Department of Education denied its request for a $40,000 grant to run the program. This is the first time Mat-Su Youth Court's funding has been cut.

The Youth Court receives local funding from the City of Wasilla, the City of Palmer, the Mat-Su Borough and other local donors. The City of Wasilla provides more than $40,000 in "in-kind" donations, which includes a space for Youth Court offices in city hall and such services as accounting and a telephone line. The Youth Court's two adult employees are technically City of Wasilla employees, so Wasilla also helps with payroll and some insurance related expenses. In response to the state cuts this year, Albert-Konecky reduced her own hours.

The state cuts already prompted some awareness. Albert-Konecky said Valley Healthy Communities increased its annual contribution by $5,000 last July, from $2,200 to $7,220.

"Valley Healthy Communities is really supportive of any program that works with the youth to try and promote a healthier lifestyle," Albert-Konecky said. "They especially like the fact that we are addressing the minor consuming alcohol issues, because drinking has a lot of health issues associated with it."

Now the drive is on for smaller donations, and with any luck Youth Court will boost its program funds 25 or 50 cents at a time at the cash register.

Mat-Su Youth Court is collecting manufacturer's discount coupons that are good for October, November and December. To donate coupons to the drive, call 373-9045 for information or drop coupons off at the Mat-Su Youth Court office at city hall in Wasilla.