Williams Automotive is having its sixth annual charity fundraiser for an area organization that helps children.
Rex and Debbie Williams, who own Williams Automotive, are offering tickets for three separate drawings to help the Emporia Arts Center.
Debbie Williams said they were looking around at what organization had the greatest need, and she and Rex knew the arts council had taken a substantial funding cut in recent years and thought it could use the money.
?It?s nice to be able to give back to Emporia, especially at the holidays,? she said. ?It?s just kind of a nice way that we can repay Emporia for helping us be successful.
?I think all the other sponsors feel the same way. ? Emporia is a great community and it has got so many great things going for it and it?s an example to us to how great it is when you see how generous people can be with our little charity that we try to do.?
Sutherlands Lumber Co. donated a $999-garden shed; Mark II Lumber donated a playhouse valued at $1,749; and Waters True Value donated about $600 in lawn equipment that includes a push lawn mower, a weed eater and a leaf blower; all for the drawings that will take place Jan. 15.
Rex Williams said people can purchase each ticket with a $5 donation.
The other sponsors are Bill Redeker Construction, Michael and Sheila Williams, Groh Printing Co., Printing Plus, KVOE, KISS 103.1 and The Emporia Gazette.
Bill Redeker, KISS 103.1 and Williams Automotive will provide a matching $500, Debbie Williams said. The goal is to raise at least $10,000 for the arts center.
The Emporia Arts Council lost $30,000 in state funding when the Kansas Arts Commission was dissolved in May 2011, Director Melissa Windsor said. The center does have an after-school program at the Emporia Middle School because it continued to receive grant funding. However, the center lost funding to provide after-school programs to the students at the area elementary schools.
?We think it is a really great opportunity to expose children to art,? Windsor said. ?A lot of children nowadays get very little art and have very little time for art in their classrooms at school. We love providing it to them free of charge and making it accessible for everyone. All the money that we receive from this fundraiser will benefit the children of Emporia and the surrounding area and go to children?s programming, whether it?s a gallery exhibit or the Artmobile out in the community or art classes.?
Williams Automotive will have the garden shed, playhouse and lawn equipment in the Christmas Parade tonight, Rex Williams said. It will also showcase the items at Sutherlands, Mark II, Waters True Value and the arts center before Jan. 15.
Debbie Williams said the previous five fundraisers have raised about $25,000 combined.
People can purchase the tickets at Bill Redeker Construction, the Emporia Arts Center, Groh Printing, Mark II Lumber, Pit Stop Fast Lube, Printing Plus, Sutherlands, Waters True Value and Williams Automotive.
If citizens or businesses want to be a sponsor or would like more information about the raffle, they can call Rex Williams at (620) 343-0086.
Source: http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2012/nov/27/williams-automotive-holds-fundraiser-eac/
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