By RONDA GREGORY
News & Journal Staff Writer
As part of its ongoing fund-raising efforts, the Progressive Women’s Association at the Uptown Event Center is asking people to consider renting a parking space at the facility’s parking area.
Cost is $45 per month per spot, but people can rent a space for any time length, said Elinda Carson, Director of the Uptown Event Center and Progressive Women’s Association. “They can rent them any way at all. Some do six months, some more and some month-by-month. It’s whatever works for them.”
The spaces at their lot are located at 305 Washington Avenue in downtown Clarksburg. The facility building, now known as the Uptown Event Center, had formerly been the YWCA.
Carson reports the spaces are located in a very convenient place for people to come to the downtown area to shop or to conduct other business.
“They’re within a short walking distance to many of the downtown’s businesses and agencies,” she said.
Revenues from the parking space sales (and their other fund-raising efforts), support the PWA’s several community philanthropic endeavors.
“Revenues go toward maintaining our facility and to help us go forward with our community programs, such as our food pantry and our free day camp for girls,” Carson stated.
In addition to the PWA’s ongoing parking spot sales, renting their facility for many functions is their other full-time fund-raising effort. They book their facility for weddings, baby showers and…even a wrestling match!
“We rent it out for just about anything anyone wants,” Carson said, grinning.
Their venue boasts two large rooms, smaller meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen, a stage and theater, an elevator and wifi connections.
The Progressive Women’s Association was started in 1915. It has been located on Washington Avenue since 1963, when the current building was erected. In 2013, the PWA was formed to provide opportunities to empower women in their personal advancement that will enable them to impact their community.
Carson said that the group also hosts other fundraisers, such as the Vera Bradley Bingo event coming up on April 3. It will take place at the VFW on High Street in Clarksburg.
Another upcoming PWA-sponsored event will happen in June, with a definite date yet to be announced. Carson reports that as part of their special recognition programs and for their “Celebrating America” project, the group at a luncheon will honor 10 outstanding local women in areas of volunteerism, education, the arts and many other fields.
They look forward to rewarding these fine women of distinction for their contributions.
“There are so many women that go above and beyond to serve their community,” she stated.
Carson said they could use more women to become involved in the community. “We’re always looking for more members to join us.”
For more information about the PWA, or to buy a parking space or to rent the facility, call (304) 624-6881. Or visit them on Facebook at Uptown Event Center/PWA.
