Month: October 2014

Best Choice Save-A-Label Program Benefits Bonham Theatre

The Bonham

Runza Bonham Theatre Fundraiser, Fairbury Nebraska

Ray’s Apple Market in Fairbury and Best Choice products now make it easier than ever to donate to the Bonham Theatre Project. Fundraising for The Bonham Theatre Project is easy, thanks to the Best Choice label program. Already, more than 11,000 groups are cashing in, using the Save-A-Label program.

The Save-A-Label program is an extremely successful program, which helps non-profit organizations raise money. Currently, there are over 11,000 non-profit groups that participate in the program. These groups earn $.03 for each Best Choice UPC symbol redeemed, with a minimum of 1,000 labels required for redemption. This program represents more than 1.2 million cases of Best Choice products purchased by consumers in one year. “We have thousands of Best Choice products at our store, and they’re all national-brand quality, but at 10% to 20% under the national price. We believe Best Choice is a best-bet for your fund raising needs,” according to Ron Winslow, manager.

Start collecting Best Choice product labels, (be sure to keep the UPCs or “proofs of purchase”) and turn them in at the customer service counter. “The program is all set up and ready to go – just drop off your labels and we take care of the rest,” according to Michelle Hoffman, Ray’s Apple Market employee and Bonham Theatre Project volunteer.

The Bonham Theatre Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reopen the historic Bonham Theatre in downtown Fairbury.

$225,000 awarded for Bonham Theatre Project in Fairbury

The Bonham

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) has awarded the City of Fairbury with $225,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in the Tourism Development category to renovate the Bonham Theatre.

In turn, the City will award the funding to the Bonham Theatre Project (BTP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that has secured financial support and contributions from foundations, businesses, and local individuals.

Additional funding of $553,834 from BTP, including challenge grant awards from the Peter Kiewit Foundation and The Sherwood Foundation, and pledges supported by state tax credits awarded through DED’s Community Development Assistance Act, will complete the project.

Renovations will include removal of materials and architectural barriers that restrict mobility of and accessibility by elderly and persons with disabilities. Additional renovations will include the installation of ramps and handicap viewing platforms, easier access to the lobby, fire protection measures, plumbing, restrooms and electrical work.

The refurbishment and reopening of the Bonham Theatre is expected to attract regional audiences from southeast Nebraska and northern Kansas for quality activities, including movies, theater productions, art showings and educational workshops. Additionally BTP is expected to help anchor Fairbury’s historic and social appeal as it is surrounded by lodging properties, and dining and shopping venues, all within walking distance.

The theatre operated for 86 years from the day its doors opened in 1926 until it was shuttered at the end of 2012. For many years it lived up to its name “the Showcase of Southeast Nebraska.” However, when faced with the high costs of transitioning to digital projection in 2012, the owners made the difficult decision to close the theatre. Soon after, Fairbury citizens organized and formed BTP.

Federal funds are made available to DED from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s CDBG program to assist with the development of businesses and communities throughout the state. Funding requests for the program are administered by DED and available to local governments with populations less than 50,000 and counties in Nebraska.

For information about the Fairbury project, contact Sharyl Preston, City Clerk, at 402-729-3906 or spreston@fairburyne.org

For information about CDBG Tourism Development funding, contact Steve Charleston at 800-426-6505, 402-471-3757, or steve.charleston@nebraska.gov.

Union Bank & Trust Donates $10,000 to Bonham Theatre Project

The Bonham

ubt-donationUnion Bank & Trust donated $10,000 to assist the revitalization efforts of the historic Bonham Theatre.  The funds, which will be disbursed over a 2 year period, will help the non-profit group reach their fundraising milestone to begin renovations.

“Fairbury has a rich history, and the Bonham Theatre is a key part of that” said Jen Walton, Branch Manager.  “With the support of the entire community, the Theatre can once again be an active part of Fairbury’s downtown area.”

Debby Ebke, Treasurer of the Bonham Theatre Project, stated, “We’re very encouraged by the support of Union Bank & Trust, and all of our area businesses.  By coming together, we are truly a stronger community.”

Union Bank & Trust Company is a privately owned, Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services. The bank has thirty-six full service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. In addition to Fairbury and Lincoln, branches are located in nineteen Nebraska communities and the Kansas City metro area. It is the third largest privately-owned bank in Nebraska with bank assets of $2.8 billion and trust assets of $13.9 billion as of June 30, 2014.