Arts Council begins theater donation drive Monday

With an increase in matches from two organizations, the Callaway Arts Council hopes to raise upwards of $45,000 to get its downtown theatre restoration project off the ground.

Previous donors, pledges and people who have shown interest in the project can expect a call or visit in the coming weeks from the "Friends of the Fulton Theatre," a group of volunteers looking to help revive interest in the project and take advantage of several two-to-one matching grants.

The Fulton Heritage Trust pledged to match up to $5,000 for $10,000 raised for the theater. Soon after, equal pledges came from Backer's Potato Chips and an anonymous donor. If the Callaway Arts Council can raise $30,000, they will receive $15,000 from their respective donors.

"For our kickoff Monday, we're up to $15,000 in our challenge," McDaniel said. "We have a list of volunteers making personal contact with anyone who's ever participated or shown interest in the theatre."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.