Ramon Dominguez will serve as the honorary committee chairman for AIM Services' annual Saratoga fundraiser, held in town from July 26-Aug. 2. AIM is the area's largest provider of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and its re-imagined annual fundraiser will be a door-to-door downtown event called “Croquet OFF the Green,” aimed to bring foot traffic to recently re-opened Saratoga retail shops and restaurants while raising awareness and funds for AIM Services.
The event also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act which coincides with the launch date. All activities are being conducted according to the NY-Forward COVID-19 recommendations.
AIM is seeking croquet “players,” honorary committee members ($100 donation), and sponsors for the event.
“Among the people who receive quality innovative services from AIM are those with traumatic brain injuries,” said Dominquez, a Saratoga Springs resident. “As a jockey who had to retire early due to a head injury, I am just one of 54 million people annually who experience a traumatic brain injury. AIM gives people with TBIs a chance at living the most independent life possible.”
Anyone over 18 years of age can register to be an AIM Services Croquet OFF the Green player. Thirty participating Saratoga businesses will have croquet wickets on display on their entrance door or front display windows. Inside they will have scorecards and stamps to mark that you visited their store. Patronage at a store with a wicket counts as a croquet score. Every stamp gives the player an entry into the grand prize drawing. There is no limit to the number of stamps a player can receive.
“We knew that the event had to be drastically different this year and we are thrilled with the positive response we have received from Saratoga business owners and the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce,” said Chris Lyons, Executive Director of AIM Services, Inc. “We hope that as the players go from store to store to complete their wickets, they support each store and also take the opportunity to support AIM.”
“We have all had to figure out a new normal as we go about our lives in the shadow of this pandemic, and a large part of that is rethinking how we can support the community around us,” said Stacy De Garay, sales Manager at Savory Pantry in Saratoga Springs. “AIM Services has always provided invaluable resources to people of diverse abilities in Saratoga and the surrounding counties, so it is important that we continue to help out with their fundraising efforts, as different as they may be this year.”
The grand prize drawing will include chances to win an overnight package in Saratoga Springs, private boat rental on Saratoga Lake, retail and dining gift certificates, a Lake George Holiday Inn Resort stay with two cruise passes from the Lake George Steamboat Co., a custom corn-hole kit and various retail and dinner gift certificates.
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