After earlier setbacks, fundraiser set for Friday
Finally after two cancellations in April and June, the Christmas on the Courthouse Square fundraiser event is ready to kick off Friday at the Hot Spring County Fairgrounds. Members of the Hot Spring County Courthouse Christmas Committee has planned a Dorey's drive- through fish fry fundraiser for Friday October 2 beginning at 11 a. m until 1 p. m.
HSC Courthouse Christmas Committee member Glorie Thornton said, "We were not able to have our fundraiser on the Courthouse Square in April because of COVID- 10. However, we are going to have a drive- through with Dorey's Catfish on Friday from 11 to 1 p. m. at the fairgrounds."
The committee has started selling tickets for the fundraiser. Tickets are $ 12 and include dinner with four- pieces fish or chicken or mixed with french fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies and a drink. Tickets may be purchased at the mayor’s office, Hot Spring County Cooperative Extension Service office, treasurer’s office at the courthouse, Malvern Mercantile, Malvern Insurance, Hot Spring County Farm Bureau, and Farmers Bank and Trust on East Page Ave.
"It is our desire for every child to feel the wonder of Christmas with lights, decorations and a season of good cheer that decorating the courthouse lawn will bring," Thornton mentioned about the planned event.
Thornton said the committee is striving to give the community the opportunity to help make this dream a reality again for the residents and families in this community.
Plans for decorating this year include— the large Christmas tree with light, more lights lining the courthouse building, wreaths and garland at the front door, a large Santa with a sleigh and reindeer, and many more small decorated trees next to the courthouse, made by students of Hot Spring County schools. She also noted, there are plans to add more lighted displays to the courthouse lawn this year.
She emphasized because of the COVID- 19, there are no plans for a tree lighting ceremony.
"We will have the courthouse lit up December 3. We are hopeful that people will enjoy driving around the courthouse and seeing all of the Christmas lights," she added.
During Friday's fundraiser event, the committee will be following all heath department guidelines to keep everyone safe due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.
If anyone would like to be a sponsor this year, Thornton mentioned the committee has provided the levels of sponsorships, along with what individuals will receive with each level.
GOLD SPONSOR: $ 2,500— A 2.5 inch by 6 inch banner with the company name and logo on the courthouse lawn; a picture presenting the donation in
the Malvern Daily Re
cord and the business name displayed on the sponsor board in the gazebo.
SILVER SPONSOR: $ 2,000— A 2.5 inch by 4 inch banner with the company name and logo on the courthouse lawn; a picture
presenting the donation in the Malvern Daily
Record and the business name displayed on the sponsor board in the gazebo.
RED SPONSOR: $ 1,000— A 1.5 inch by 3 inch banner with the company name and logo on the courthouse lawn; a picture presenting the donation in the Malvern Daily Record and the business name displayed on the sponsor board in the gazebo.
GREEN SPONSOR: $ 500— A 1 inch by 2 inch banner with the company name and logo on the courthouse lawn; the busi
ness name displayed on the sponsor board in the gazebo.
BLUE SPONSOR: $ 100— Your name and business displayed on the sponsor board in the gazebo.
The purpose of the fundraiser is to help purchase Christmas decorations for the courthouse. Last year’s first annual Christmas on the Courthouse Square was a historic event for the community. The event had an enormous impact on the community and unified everyone together for positivity. The atmosphere provided a true meaning of
the holiday season with the spirit of Christmas enjoyed by everyone.
The committee is working towards planning several festivities during the event.
The committee will accept donations at any time for the event. Also the committee is seeking volunteers who are interested to help with the fundraiser. Donations may be sent to committee member Tony Jenkins with Malvern Insurance at 1009 S Main or contact County Chief Deputy Treasurer Glorie Thornton at 501627- 4547. Checks can be made payable to ARKEGO/ Courthouse Christmas, Tax ID#: 474940568 and mailed to the Hot Spring County Treasurer’s office at 210 Locust, Malvern, AR 72104. This will be a tax deductible contribution.
With December only a few months away, plans are still hopeful for another extraordinary Hallmark holiday event for the 2020 Christmas on the Courthouse Square.