Fox Fullerton Reaches Its Fundraising Goal

posted by Ross Melnick on November 19, 2004 at 8:52 am

FULLERTON, CA — The following email was received from the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation:

“WE DID IT!!!!

Thanks to a very generous gift of $1,000,000, we have reached our total fundraising goal of $3.5 million and can open escrow on the Fox this Friday! The donor, who prefers to remain anonymous for the present, presented us with a $700,000 cashiers check late yesterday, and has pledged the remaining $300,000 as a challenge grant for our restoration fundraising needs.

This generous donation is allowing us to “trigger” our pledge fulfillments, so all checks that have turned in and stored in our bank vault will now be cashed into our special checking account to open escrow.

Please come by the Fox or our offices through Friday to say hi and help celebrate!

We still need donations so we can get our restoration underway and match our new $300,000 challenge grant. Now is also the time to turn in any outstanding pledges!

Special thanks to:

—The Morgan Group for their support, lowering of the purchase price, and, especially, their extension of the escrow deadline
—The City of Fullerton Redevelopment Agency for their $1.65 million challenge grant
—The City of Fullerton Redevelopment and Economic Development for working with us on the agreements and their assistance with extending the escrow deadlines
—Our office staff and consultants: Pam Tice, Kathie Henry, Tara Jones and Jon Olivan
—Every single one of the over 2,000 donors and volunteers who helped make this happen!

Also, a special thanks to local businesses who have generously kept our 24 hour a day “Under the Marquee” volunteers supplied with “provisions”:

Grace and Benjamin Kim / Spring Field – Sandwiches, Electricity
Yon Cho – Fullerton View Garden Flowers – Electricity
Tony and Alex – Pho Express Noodles – Tea, Lunches
University Printing – Printing Discounts
Kinko’s – Printing Discounts
Richard and Pearl Odle – Sandwiches
Starbucks – Coffee
Dan and Debi Rhinehart – Coffee
Judy Berg – Hot Water, Cleaning, Signage
Paul O'Neil / Aeromark – Signage
Roadside Burgers – Coffee, Breakfast
Show Gear – Lighting, Sound
Henry Jones Insurance – Apples
Angelo and Vinci’s – Pizza
Judy Lynn Bakery – Donuts
“Elvis, Santa Claus, Betty Boop, Charlie Chaplin, Austin Powers"
Many musicians, including the South Coast Brass Quintet

Thanks to Our Wonderful Marquee Volunteers:

Craig Reed
Pat Shepard
John Waite
Paul O'Neil
Ruben Fernandez
Sam Joslin
Max Espinoza
Mike Quezada
Susan Rhein
Laura Wiggins
Judy Berg
Susan Odegard
Ruben Fernandez
Mary Jo Vincent
Kirk Schneider
+ many others!

Please let us know if we’ve left anyone out!

FOUNDATION NEXT STEPS

Now that the mad rush to gather the funds to purchase the theatre is over, we will regroup for the next step which will involve more fundraising, applying for grants, and potentially looking at other financing options. We will also benefit greatly from the ongoing revenue stream generated by the Firestone Building’s retail tenants.

The Foundation would like to thank everyone for all their hard work and commitment to saving this great historic landmark. The community involvement is far from over for this project, and the Foundation would like to invite more people, businesses, and volunteers to come and participate in this project! We still need cash donations, in-kind donations, office support donations, and additional volunteers to help complete the rehabilitation of these buildings.

Over the next few weeks, we will keep you informed of our progress with the following “next steps”:

Open escrow
Await close of escrow and transfer of ownership
Start Phases 1 and 2 of the restoration process:
Emergency Stabilization
Planning & Pre-Development
Hire architects, engineers, etc.
Coordinate In-kind donations of labor and materials
Prepare Foundation for growth:
Expand the Foundation Board of Directors
Hire an Executive Director
Seek a Special Events Coordinator
Seek a Volunteer Coordinator
Fundraise, Fundraise, Fundraise !!!

NEW FUNDRAISING CONTEST

Prize Offered for the 2 highest pledges ACCOMPANIED BY CHECKS received by 8 pm Thursday, November 18:

A walk-on appearance as an extra on the HBO hit comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” starring Larry David. The winner(s) will visit the set, meet the stars, have lunch with the director, and make a cameo (non-speaking) appearance on the show.

Offered by:

Fullerton-raised Fox-supporter Bob Weide — Director and Executive Producer of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with Larry David.

Deadline:

The Foundation must receive your pledge AND check by 8 pm Thursday, November 18

Rules:

Minimum pledge is $7,500. If pledges are submitted by a company, the company can choose two people to claim the prize. Winners will be announced after the fundraising deadline. Prizes will only be redeemable if the Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation is successful in reaching their goal. If the Foundation’s goal is not met, consolation prizes (to be announced) will be awarded by the cast of “Curb.”

Note: To clarify, all submissions will be used to help restore the Fox Fullerton Theatre and will not be returned.

Forms are available:
—ONLINE at www.SaveTheFox.org
—CALL (714) 607-0884 and we will fax one to you
—DROP BY OUR OFFICE M-F 9-5: 131 W. Commonwealth
—AT THE FOX – our dedicated volunteers are at the Fox 24 HOURS daily

We can have a volunteer runner come by your home or office to pick up your pledge and check – just let us know!

////////////////////////////////

CONTACT INFO:
Fullerton Historic Theatre Foundation
Web: www.SaveTheFox.org
Mailing address: PO Box 6753 Fullerton, CA 92834
New, Expanded Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Physical address (no mail, please!):
131 W. Commonwealth Ave.,
betw. Harbor and Malden, directly across from Steamer's
Phone(714) 607-0884
Fax (714) 870-5123

Theaters in this post

• Fox Fullerton Theatre