HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – A fundraising campaign to replace two buildings at the Hartmann Field and Little League ballpark in Hidden Valley Lake that were destroyed in a Nov. 9 fire got a boost from an unexpected source on Saturday.
Damien Wickard, interim general manager at Konocti Vista Resort Marina and Casino, made a donation to the drive.
“Damien called me before Christmas and said that (Konocti Vista) would like to sponsor a team and donate a full set of equipment for it because he wants people to know that they come through for the community,” said Middletown Cobb Little League President Phil Mascari.
The contribution from Konocti Vista, Mascari said, amounted to $2,500, which included a $500 check plus the equipment.
Asked why Konocti Vista was making a donation to a cause in an area well distanced from his base of operations, Wickard said, “I've been involved in Little League for many years, as well as football and basketball at Lower Lake (High School). Our mission is to help out when the opportunity arises and at Konocti we really want to donate to and help out the youth of Lake County.”
Mascari said that the drive to raise $20,000 to replace the equipment burned in the November fire has succeeded in raising $12,000 so far.
He is hopeful that a Feb. 15 “Montecarlo Night” dance party and silent auction will make up most of the difference.
Meanwhile, an effort to join with the Hidden Valley Lake Homeowners Association in a program to physically rebuild the Little League Field is progressing, Mascari said.
“We have to put a plan together by July, but they've given us permission to do that. But we have to wait till it comes up as a discussion item to take action, which might be at the association meeting on the 23rd (of January),” he said.
“We've had a lot of stuff donated, such as demolition, a 20-foot waste container that will take stuff away and building materials,” Mascari added. “And there was a unanimous decision to move forward with the program.”
Cash donations can be sent to Middletown Cobb Little League, P.O. Box 1024, Middletown, CA 95461.
Kristi Watson is fundraising coordinator and be reached by phone at 707-355-0154.
Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .