Meaford Hall Culture Foundation’s chair reports the foundation’s fundraising campaign for Meaford Hall is doing well.
Clark Little says fundraising efforts for the Balcony Project have raised $21 thousand in less than three months. Meaford Hall Culture Foundation launched the campaign on the Labour Day weekend, during this year’s Meaford International Film Festival.
The aim of the campaign is to raise enough money to replace the rest of the original seats in the balcony of Meaford Opera House. Little says that while $21,000 is but a fraction of the campaign target of $145 thousand, but it’s a promising start. During the renovations of Meaford Hall the Foundation was able to replace some of the 90 original chairs with new ones.
The original seats were installed in 1908 during the construction of the Opera House at Meaford Hall. Unfortunately, they are too cramped for today’s theatre patrons. Little says those wishing to support the Balcony Project can do so in several ways.
“You can buy some of the old seats and use them as decoration or memento in your home. We are selling these seats in groups of four, five or nine," says Little. "Another way is to buy a nameplate in memory of a family member or friend .These nameplates will be placed on the back of each new seat.”
Yet another way is to make a donation to the Balcony Project and the money donated will also be used to buy a new seat. To make a donation or for more information, phone Meaford Chamber of Commerce office at 519-538-1640. Or drop in at the Chamber office and donate in person.