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Bucyrus Little Theatre Raises Over $3,000 With Community Support & Modern Woodmen Matching Funds For Vital Upgrades
- bucyruslittletheatre
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
BLT Adds Washer & Dryer, New Awning To Its Property At 130 Songer Avenue
The Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) is celebrating a triumphant fundraising success following its December 2024 holiday production, featuring The Twelve Daze of Christmas and Charles Schultz’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. A raffle basket fundraiser, bolstered by overwhelming generosity from local businesses and individuals, raised more than $1,500, which was then matched by the Modern Woodmen of America, resulting in over $3,000 to support the theatre’s mission.
The raffle showcased the strength of the Bucyrus community, with donations pouring in from: 31 Gifts, Andy & Allie Mueller, Baker’s Pizza, Birch Tree Bookery, Bratwurst Festival Committee, Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce, Carle’s Bratwurst, Cashland, Crossroads Candles, Cooper’s Mill, Dawn Kennedy, Janice Emick, Katering Kountry Style, Lillian & David Smithey, Lincoln Hills Golf Club, Mark’s Ice Cream, Martha Tidball, Mason’s Manis, Mid Ohio Sports Car Course, Mount Zion Community Church, Norton’s Flowers, Refreshing Simplicity With Rebecca, TC Restaurant Group, and The Pickwick Place. Their contributions made the raffle a resounding success.
Kelly Rowe, representing Modern Woodmen of America, played a key role in coordinating the Matching Fund Program, which doubled the raffle’s impact. Modern Woodmen, a member-owned fraternal financial services organization, empowers its chapters, Summit chapters, and youth service clubs nationwide to uplift communities through this program. Each year, their efforts generate over $41 million for community organizations and families in need through events like bake sales, silent auctions, and more. For more details, visit www.modernwoodmen.org.
With the funds raised, BLT invested in essential upgrades to support its operations and enhance its presence at 130 Songer Avenue. The theatre purchased a washer and dryer to maintain costumes for its roughly five annual productions, including youth shows with casts of up to 50 members. Additionally, a new awning and signage from Lehr Awning was installed at the front entrance, improving visibility and shielding patrons from the elements.
“Bucyrus Little Theatre works hard to produce around five shows every year; that equates to a lot of actors and even more costumes, all of which need to be laundered and maintained,” said Abigail Kanellakis, president of BLT’s Board of Directors. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to take part in Modern Woodmen’s Matching Fund program to help us secure a washer and dryer for our theater. We are also thrilled to have new and vibrant signage to welcome our patrons and volunteers. This awning is something BLT has desperately needed for years, and to say we are pleased with how it looks and the workmanship would be an understatement.”
The new signage, according to Kanellakis, addresses a long-standing challenge for BLT: visibility.
“While our location presents some challenges, this awning has elevated our presence substantially,” Kanellakis added. “BLT is an active community theatre that produces incredible shows, yet so many people don’t know we exist. We hope this upgrade invites more of our community to discover the magic of live theatre.”
Bucyrus Little Theatre extends heartfelt thanks to its donors, Modern Woodmen of America, and the community for making these improvements possible. To learn more about upcoming shows or how to get involved, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com or follow Bucyrus Little Theatre on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact:
Bucyrus Little Theatre
130 Songer Avenue, Bucyrus, OH 44820
About Modern Woodmen of America:
Modern Woodmen of America is a member-owned fraternal financial services organization dedicated to securing futures with financial guidance and products while touching lives through fraternalism. Learn more at www.modernwoodmen.org.
