Case studies for FOPP support

Jul 28, 2010

Source: Liberty Lake Splash

Now would be an appropriate time to mark Dec. 4 on your calendar. Write "Holiday Ball" in permanent ink, and set money aside for tickets and auction items.

We know, we know - for many of you, this is preaching to the choir. But in case you weren't aware how Liberty Lake (and loads of guests) just enjoyed a free concert Saturday, featuring a couple first-rate bands on a picture-perfect evening, please read on.

First of all, it wasn't free. Big Head Todd and the Monsters was paid. A significant amount. Or they wouldn't have stopped at our park and unpacked a couple guitars and a drum set. It was free to attend because Friends of Pavillion Park receives support from community members like you. The organization's No. 1 fundraiser is the aforementioned Holiday Ball, at which residents pay money to spend a wonderful evening with neighbors and purchase fabulous donated items. The money raised goes toward future concerts, as well as scholarships and other FOPP programs.

Those who attended the show Saturday night can testify to just how that support rolls into making for a dynamite community event.

But there's a second case study from the past week that sheds light on why support for FOPP is important, and why Liberty Lake is an even more attractive place to call home because of it. On Thursday, the Spokane Symphony announced it is canceling its annual Labor Day concert at Comstock Park as part of a series of budget cuts, ending a 25-year tradition. One of the main causes was dwindled corporate sponsorships for the concert. Only a single sponsor remained, and the cost of putting the show on became cost prohibitive.

In the Spokesman-Review's story about the cancellation, one paragraph stood out: "A concert on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake remains on the symphony schedule. That 6 p.m. show is underwritten by Friends of Pavillion Park."

"Underwritten by Friends of Pavillion Park" is another way to say "underwritten by the community." As a community, not as a group of businesses or through some sort of concert house, we have brought first-class entertainment to Liberty Lake.

Liberty Lake is a special place to call home. We urge you to continue to support Friends of Pavillion Park - and mark Dec. 4 on that calendar.