THERE are three things of great importance when it comes to fundraising: image, image, image!

That’s where the Greenville Area Leisure Services Association is hurting as it embarks on a fundraising campaign to prevent the organization from going belly-up.

GALSA is planning to mail fliers to the residents of northern Mercer County in an attempt to solicit donations to help continue operations of Riverside Park, the Greenville Rec Center and the controversial sports complex in West Salem Township.

Without a doubt the projects are worthwhile. The activities offered are important to providing recreational services for youth in that part of the county.

From softball to soccer, basketball to baseball — and much more — the operations at the GALSA facilities provide needed diversions for young people. As they say, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” And of course sitting for hours in front of a television or computer screen doesn’t do much good either. In this age of increasing obesity in young people, these GALSA activities are of utmost importance.

Many adults find it both enjoyable and a means of exercise when they stroll through Riverside Park and absorb the aesthetic beauty. That alone is worth a contribution from everyone who uses the park.

But the problem many people have is a sour image of GALSA created by past problems. The sports complex in West Salem Township did not get the support or financial backing from municipalities as was hoped when it was built. In fact, it created some ill will.

And even more recently, the very controversial sale of the group’s day-care center to GALSA Executive Director Erik Bielata had people questioning the ethics of Bielata as well as the board of directors. Although the situation was resolved in a good way when Kids Korner Day Care finally was sold to Greenville First Baptist Church, it still left people questioning how the board makes decisions.

GALSA now has trouble getting financial contributions from the Greenville Area School District and the Borough of Greenville. Although GALSA received support in the past, the borough is struggling under Act 47 distressed community status and the school board says it can’t afford to contribute.

Bielata and the GALSA board must shore up relations with both the borough and school board, as well as impress on the citizens of northern Mercer County that any contributions would be used wisely.

GALSA, in its new fundraising effort, asks that people donate money into a fund that is a branch of the Shenango Valley Foundation. That’s an excellent idea since the foundation has a strong reputation.

Let’s hope GALSA can re-establish trust with the community and bring in funding to maintain its many worthwhile projects. The organization still does a lot of good for the area.