SHELL ROCK -- Events in coming days will add energy to a growing community project.

The goal is to raise as much money as possible before the end of March so that the overall effort is eligible for a large state grant.

The Parks Galore and a Whole Lot More fundraising push will reach a peak Saturday night with a dinner accompanied by live and silent auctions.

Danielle Rusch, fundraising coordinator said the meal is particularly important to the project.

"We've had weekly fundraisers since we announced the project in January, but the dinner and auction are really the high point of the fund drive so far," she said.

"We need a good turnout to support the project and, we hope, help us qualify for state funds."

Dinner and silent auction will be from 5 to 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Faith Lutheran Church in Shell Rock. The menu includes fresh boneless pork loin donated by Janesville Locker. Cost is only what guests are willing to donate.

The live auction will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

Items include use for a day of a 15-passenger van with driver, gas and insurance from Shell Rock Ford; use for a day of Crawdaddy Outdoors' canoes, kayaks and equipment; and two tickets to a Minnesota Wild hockey game from Nelson and Toenjes Law Firm. For a look at other goods available, visit the Web site at www.shellrockiowa.org/parks/FundraisingUpdates.htm.

"The community response has been just phenomenal," Rusch said. "People have been so generous with their time, their money, and their donations of food, services and auction items."

Parks Galore is a community project to improve the city's recreation offerings. Phase 1 park improvements include upgrading ball fields, rebuilding tennis courts, building basketball and sand volleyball courts, installing a trail between McCague Park and downtown; and replacing the children's wading pool with a beach-entry splash pool.

Duane Harms, president of the Shell Rock Development Corporation, said the project team must raise $132,000 before month's end in order to apply for a state Community Attractions and Tourism grant.

If successful, the CAT grant could provide up to $79,000.

"We've got a good start toward raising the money we need, but we're really counting on the dinner and auctions to put us over the top, to give us the amount we have to have in order to apply for this grant," Harms said.

The gap to fill totals almost $32,000, he added.

In other fundraising efforts, Steve Nieman, a lifelong resident and member of the City Council, will drum up business Tuesday at the Hometown Bar and Grill in Shell Rock.

Nieman will volunteer at the restaurant from 4:30 and 8 p.m., when a percent of every chicken dinner sold will go to the capital campaign.

Dine-in and carry-out orders will contribute to the community recreation project. A donation jar will also be available.

And on March 27, Shell Rock women will try to top the amount of tips raised by Mayor Larry Young at the Pizza Ranch in Waverly. Young bussed tables Feb.13 and gathered $309 for Parks Galore.

In addition to the ladies' tip jar, 10 percent of all sales between 5 and 8 p.m. will benefit the community recreation project.

To contribute to the auctions or fund drive, call Rusch at (319) 885-6727 or send donations to the Parks Galore fund at Shell Rock Security Bank, P.O. Box 430, Shell Rock, IA 50670.

Sign up:

Shell Rock's new Rockin' Recreation Program will hold its first informational and registration meeting Wednesday. The session will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at Shell Rock Elementary.

Participants will learn about the program in general and spring offerings in particular. Registration for the first round of classes is free and open to the public.

A list of available courses follow.

Youth activities:

Pajama story time for kids 1 to 3 years old

Minor league softball and baseball for girls and boys in third and fourth grades. One night only for registration. Fee is $40.

Girls softball, fifth through seventh grades. Fee is $50.

Boys Little League baseball, fifth and sixth grades. Fee is $50.

Student photography, 11 to 17 years old.

Computer class, 18 years and under.

Adult activities:

Fitness class, 18 and over.

Adult photography, 18 and over.

Computer class, seniors 55 and over.

Also available but not part of Wednesday's sign-up, co-ed T-Ball for preschool and kindergarten students and co-ed sluggers for kids in first and second graded. Registration will be from 5 to 7 p.m. April 18 at the school. Fee is $20.

Information about the recreation program is available on the Web site at www.shellrockiowa.org/parks/RockinRecreationProgram.htm.