RISON - The first Jail-N-Bail Fundraiser at the Pioneer Village set the Heritage Hall project in motion raising over $15,000.
The Village is now one step closer to the $50,000 goal for the renovation with the fundraising efforts bringing the total just over halfway there with support from the Cleveland County Community Theater.
The Community Theater has made a pledge to help pay for a stage once the interior improvements are completed in an effort to revive the community theater.
The fundraiser held last Thursday, Aug. 27 featured a theatrical and satirical arrest and lock-up of 20 community criminals ranging from Rison Mayer Charles Roberts, the Herald’s Britt Talent, local pharmacist Lynn Wilson, the Village’s own President Marty Bowlin and more.
It also included a catfish and chicken dinner, a drawing for a cooler stuffed with prizes, and a bake sale.
“The overwhelming support we have received from the community towards this project was outstanding,” said Douglas Boultinghouse who spearheaded the project alongside the Village’s Vice President Malinda Berry and Community Theater’s Stacy Walz.
“It became a social media show that we had so much fun with that we’ve already been given a list of 20 more criminals to arrest next year for another fundraiser.”
On behalf of the entire “Village People” group, Boultinghouse said they would like to thank the community for the support, the criminals for being good sports, and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department for assisting with the day.
In the meantime, Bowlin, freshly released from jail, and Berry are already looking at using the raised funds to begin renovation efforts.
The renovations include foam insulation in the ceiling, walls and doors; using rustic sheet metal and wood planks for the interior walls; installing heating/air conditioning units; and building a stage at one end for live performances.
Berry previously explained a new roof was recently installed using insurance money after part of the roof was blown off in a wi…