Time to step up
Duane Henrikson, DVM, Emporia
Originally published 01:16 p.m., February 25, 2008
Updated 01:16 p.m., February 25, 2008
The Emporia Arts Council is approaching a deadline with the Mabee Foundation’s challenge grant of $330,000. This is an opportunity for the citizens of Emporia to step up to the challenge of bringing out-of-state money to Emporia to complete a wonderful well thought out project without involving your tax monies.
The Emporia Arts Council has been “Building Futures” in Emporia for almost 40 years. With a new facility in close proximity to the Granada Theatre, the Emporia Arts Council will not only continue to “Build Futures” in Emporia but will be able to improve its mission in providing opportunities to the youth and citizens of the area in the arts, culture and entertainment.
Emporians stepped up to the Mabee challenge five years ago in bringing $340,000 of grant money to the restoration of the Granada Theatre. At that time, the Mabee Foundation was interested in the Granada project because it was a project which was “Building Community.” Over 1,000 donors enabled the Granada Theatre Alliance to reach its challenge goal and in the near future the citizens of Emporia and the Flint Hills region will be able to enjoy the Granada Theatre in its old grandeur and will indeed start “Building Futures” as well as “Community” for the citizens of Emporia.
As a member of the Emporia community for my entire life, I urge Emporians to envision the future and show the resiliency that this community has exhibited over the last 150 years and make the Emporia Arts Council’s mission possible.