Butler Eagle, Thursday, May 2nd , Letters to the Editor

More Strand Volunteers

By Ron Carter

After seeing the April 14th article “Strand Theater plans get unlikely boost,” I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude and point out that The Strand Theater Initiative owes large debt to Shannon Cuccaro, Lindsey Barbati and the FRIENDS volunteer group.

Just about a year ago, I was in the midst of researching the Strand renewal project and learning about the costs associated with it – certainly the extensive renovations needed to revive the Strand as the cultural center that we envision – but also the cost of starting a non-profit corporation and applying for Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt status.

In late May, Barbati read an article in the Eagle about our plans for the Strand and was the first person to send me an e-mail with an offer to help.

Not content to plan one event, FRIENDS went to work on four. They organized and executed a bake sale in front of Wal-Mart and donation booths for Cranberry Community Day, Zelienople Horse Trading Days and the Harmony Dankfest.

Their activities provided the necessary funding to get our non-profit corporation off the ground and moving forward.

Without their support, the Initiative might never have taken place, and the old theater might have been the target of a wrecking ball.

Now we are on the verge of taking ownership of the property, ending any speculation that the Strand’s future is only as a parking lot.

Of course, we have a long way to go. It is our hope that more civic-minded individuals, groups and businesses will follow the leadership role set by FRIENDS and help us with donations and volunteerism in order to convert a decaying eyesore into a state-of-the-art cultural, education and community outreach center.

The economic impact, historical value and community growth will be quite significant.

Ron Carter, president
The Strand Theater Initiative
Zelienople