First Night Youngstown gets much-needed funds

First Night raised more than $10,000 in the past two weeks.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

YOUNGSTOWN — An influx of money means First Night Youngstown officials no longer have to worry about scaling back the event.

Unable to raise the money needed, First Night officials appealed Dec. 5 to Youngstown City Council to provide the remaining $15,000 necessary for its eighth annual alcohol-free, family-oriented event. First Night is held Dec. 31 in the downtown area.

City council gave $6,000 to First Night, $1,000 more than it contributed to the event in recent years. That left First Night $9,000 short of the $31,600 estimated cost of putting on the event.

But then Thermal Ventures, a company that had contributed to First Night in the past, came up with $5,000, said the Rev. Edward Noga, the event’s vice president and pastor of Youngstown’s St. Patrick Church.

Also, an anonymous donor contributed $4,000 to the event, said Nancy Haraburda, a First Night board of trustees member.

“Then we got several calls from different people,” Father Noga said. “Some people said, ‘This is crazy’ and donated the money.”

First Night raised a little more than $10,000 since the council meeting two weeks ago, Father Noga said.

“It will go a long way,” he said. “There were going to be extra costs. We were trying to do this bare bones. This keeps us in better stead and not operating on a shoestring.”

Entertainment is lined up at 17 locations with a possible 18th in the works, Father Noga said.

Because of the initial financial problems, council President Charles Sammarone agreed to transfer $3,000 from his city travel fund to his discretionary fund and give the money to First Night. City council would have to approve the request at its Wednesday meeting. Approval for such transfers has been honored by council members.

If the approval by council is given, First Night would use a portion of Sammarone’s money for the event and most of it to pay for power and telephone service at its office, 100 E. Federal St., Father Noga said.

“We’re thankful to city council for upping its contribution by $1,000 and to council President Sammarone and the community support from those who want to make this happen,” he said.

Having the office open year-round will allow First Night officials to have a continuous presence in the community that will help with fundraising and booking acts for future events, Father Noga said.

Sammarone said he initially offered the money because the event had a shortfall. But if First Night needs most of the money he’s giving from his discretionary fund to run its office year-round, that’s fine with Sammarone.

“If they need it, fine, then use it,” he said.

About 2,000 or so people attend First Night.

skolnick@vindy.com