The Mateel Community Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Sysco Corporation has agreed to return the balance of the interest and fees that the Community Center owed as part of their 2017 Reggae bill. The interest and fees come to approximately $9,222. The $30,560 bill has been paid by Garth Epling and several other lenders, so as to avoid a lien on the Mateel property and Garth’s personal property. Such a lien could have prevented the Center from acquiring a loan on the property, which is something the current board of directors is considering as part of their plan to alleviate the heavy load of debt after last year’s Reggae on the River festival.
A crowdfunding campaign has been set up at YouCaring.com/HelpGarth so that local community members can choose to donate toward the Sysco bill, and many have done just that. At the time of this writing, $9,152 has been donated by 58 supporters, and it has been shared on social media 220 times. It is heartwarming to note the support of the community at this time of hardship in the Mateel Community Center’s history. If you haven’t already donated, please consider doing so and please share the campaign on social media. You may also make a donation in person at the Community Credit Union of Southern Humboldt account number 13597-54.
It is gratifying that Sysco realized that our local non-profit community center is deserving of a helping hand. We would like to take this opportunity to say that the trailer rental from Sysco was free of charge every year; they did not endeavor to “trick” us at any point; and they did offer a payment plan to the Mateel, but unfortunately the Community Center was in such a position that we could not afford the minimum payment. We are happy to be on the road to a resolution and anticipate that with the community’s help, we can continue to improve the future of the Mateel Community Center. We appreciate your support and feedback. We continue to believe that our Community Center is a vital part of our quality of life, and look forward to happier days ahead.