Sale of planes yield $39,300 for new center
Date: 7/11/2012
July 11, 2012By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comCHICOPEE — There is still an opportunity to help build the new Older Adults Center and own a one-of-kind sculpture.
Council on Aging Executive Director Sandra Lapollo explained to
Reminder Publications the recent auction of the Planes Over Chicopee sculptures brought in $39,300 for the Friends of Chicopee Senior Citizens' fund-raising campaign. The Friends group has pledged to donate $2 million for the construction of the new center, which is scheduled to break ground later this year.
The hand-pained fiberglass sculptures of the C-5 transport planes were customized by a number of local artists and were seen about the city at a number of businesses that agreed to pay a $1,400 sponsor fee.
Lapollo said there are four planes yet to be sold.
At the auction, the planes were sold to the highest bidder with the opening price set at $2,000.
Those companies and individuals who bought the planes included Chicopee Savings Bank, which purchased two planes, "In Your Honor" and "Our City;" Taj and Pam Ondrick, "Freedom Isn't Free;" Chicopee Electric Light, Department, "God Bless America;" Friends of Chicopee Senior Citizens, "Crossword Puzzle;" Interstate Towing, "Polish Pottery" and "Native American;" PeoplesBank, "Mountain Majesty and "All About Chicopee;" Alden Credit Union, "Sunset;" Anita and William Wright, "Cold War Guardians;" Roy's Auto Body, "The Dawnbreaker;" King Ward Coachlines, "Sky Bird;" Pioneer Packaging, "Home of Heritage;" Arbors Kids, "The Small World of Chicopee;" McKinstry Gardens, "Woven Into the Fabric of Chicopee;" and Aquamatic, "Frog."
The sculptures that are still available are "Flyin' Hawaiian," "Crossroad of Creativity," "Noah's Ark," and "Spring Has Sprung."
Lapollo said the fund-raiser "was a lot of work, but was a great thing for the city." She added that all of the sculptures would be staying in the city.
"It was a great way to let people know there is a big commitment to raise $2 million," she said.
The campaign is far from over, though, and Lapollo explained that smaller fund-raisers would be going on. The main effort, though, will take place once the final architectural rendering is completed, she said.
