NEWBERRY — The Newberry Opera House Guild presented a $15,000 check to the Newberry Opera House during their most recent fundraising event, Derby Day.
“This amount was raised this year, through the Oyster Roast and the raffle. What our plan is, at each one of these events that we are having, is to present the Opera House with another check. We are very very happy to present this check to you,” said Christina Pomeroy, president of the Guild, to Molly Fortune, executive director of the Newberry Opera House.
Pomeroy added that this year they were able to raise about $20,000 for the Newberry Opera House. Fortune said receiving the donation of $20,000 was both amazing and unexpected.
“Just wonderful when an organization supports the Opera House like the Guild does. Everything these ladies and gentlemen do it is mind blowing and it is heartwarming, and it gives me goosebumps every time,” she said.
The check presented on Saturday will mean a lot for the Opera House, Fortune said it will mean more programming for children and more outreach.
“Just to make sure the lights stay on, and we can provide the programming that people want and will come to Newberry to spend money,” she said. “Just keeps our doors open, it is amazing.”
The Newberry Opera House Guild is the fundraising arm of the Newberry Opera House, according to Pomeroy. She said the Guild started with a group of individuals that wanted make sure the Opera House succeeded. Over the years they have done various events to help achieve that goal.
“We’ve just stated having a policy to use the events to present a check from the previous event,” Pomeroy said.
When it comes to the amount given, Pomeroy said the Guild felt strongly they had enough raised at this time for a donation that size. She added that it is probably one of their bigger donations through the year.
Derby Day served as the event to present the recent donations, Pomeroy said the idea to have Derby Day came after she challenged members to create a new event.
“The Kentucky Derby only happens once a year, some of our Guild members had actually done Kentucky Derby parties before. I challenged the membership last June to come up with something new that we hadn’t done as a Guild before and they wanted to do a Kentucky Derby party,” she said. “So they have been planning on this and working toward this event for the last 11 months.”
Just like the Oyster Roast or the raffle, proceeds from Derby Day will go to the Newberry Opera House. Pomeroy said to help the event avoid a lot of overhead, they focused on local talent.
“We focused on local talent related to the food and silent auction items to bring people in and keep cost down,” she said.
Pomeroy noted that the turn out for Derby Day was fabulous.
“I think the Guild is known for doing really good events and the fact so many people, so many faces I don’t recognize, that’s wonderful. This is not just a party to have fun, this is for people who want to support the Opera House too,” she said.
