Hello, and happy Valentine’s Day! Welcome to my first Blackberry Blog. I have been trying to decide what I would start out with, as I have so much I would like to share. The Festival is six months away and we still have so much ground to cover. This year we are short handed. There are two vacancies on the Festival Board and it would be nice if we could drum up some members.
If you would like to join us, send an email to: info@wildblackberry.org or come to one of our planning meetings. The dates and times are on the main Blackberry web page. We certainly could use the help, and you would be benefiting the community as well. Besides, It’ll make you feel all warm and special inside!
On January 26th, I hauled my sound equipment down to the Selma Community Center and assisted the I.V. Family Coalition with their annual fund raiser. It was a murder/mystery play and dinner, and I provided the mics and sound system as well as the music they needed to sing to, and for ambiance. In return for this, the Coalition will host the Children’s activities in the park for the Blackberry Festival this August.
Needless to say, it was a smashing success, and they took in on one night what it takes us all year to make. I hope that one day we will be able to do the same thing for the Blackberry Festival. The Coalition has the advantage of a 501 c 3 status and a strong membership (hint, hint.) We are a 501 c 6, which means our organization can enjoy the benefits of a non-profit, but we cannot pass those benefits on to anyone who contributes to us. In simple terms, we are tax exempt, but your donation to us is not.
I know some day we will achieve our goal, as long as we remain focused and diligent. The Festival has been going for 27 years now, and I foresee it going for 27 more and beyond. The area is evolving, and so are we.
Yours, Mark