FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society, Inc. is an organization formed in September 2002. The organization is comprised of community volunteers and was formed for charitable, educational and cultural purposes in the effort to restore, operate and maintain the Eldridge Park carousel for the enjoyment of the families of the Chemung Valley and the visitors to the area.

“Since the fall of 2002, Society members and other community volunteers have made a great deal of progress with the restoration of the carousel building and the carousel mechanism. There was and still is a great deal to be accomplished in order to meet our goal,” stated Robert Lyon, Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society, Inc. President. “With the amount of in-kind donations our organization has been receiving and knowing our long-range plans, we felt that we needed to become a formal and recognized charitable organization.”

The Preservation Society applied to be incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in October 2003. This effort was led by Board members Richard Keyser and Joseph Sartori. Keyser, a local attorney, and Sartori, the Board’s Treasurer and former Elmira City Manager, filled out and filed the paperwork.

Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society received an early holiday present when notification was received that the group had officially received designation as an incorporated, 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization by the federal government. “To receive approval in such a short period of time is unheard of in my experience,” stated Attorney Richard Keyser.

“This designation is significant because all donations and funding received for the carousel project are now tax-deductible for all donors. In addition, this designation provides the Preservation Society with opportunities to apply for governmental grants and other funds earmarked for not-for-profit organizations,” added Board Treasurer Joe Sartori.

To learn more about the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society, Inc., please visit the organization’s website at www.gco.com/eldridge/carousel.html