Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
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Sunday, June 28, 2009
By GINNY WRAY - Bulletin Staff Writer
The sponsors of Celebration 2009 recognize the importance of the annual Independence Day event to their employees and the community, according to the head of fundraising for the event.
“Most all the sponsors, despite very tough business conditions, said this was extremely important. It is important to the area. They recognize it has become a tradition for their employees and the community and were more than willing to contribute,” said Jeb Bassett, chairman of fundraising for Friday’s event at the Martinsville Speedway.
This is the first year that speedway President Clay Campbell and his staff have not handled the fundraising.
“Last year when Celebration 2008 appeared to be in jeopardy, several local companies stepped up. As we quickly met the fundraising requirements last year, it was discussed by some in the crowd that Clay should not be the fundraising arm,” said Bassett, vice president of Bassett Furniture Industries. “He and his staff do such a great job planning details of the events and the behind-the-scenes tasks of providing a clean, safe, family event. The sponsors should take over that (fundraising).”
So Bassett volunteered last fall to hold a breakfast or reception for the previous year’s sponsors to “pass the hat” for the 2009 celebration. Campbell thought about it and instead asked Bassett to chair the fundraising effort. Bassett accepted.
“Jeb is well respected among his peers. He knows the business people in the area. He’s done an exceptional job with it,” Campbell said.
He added that having someone from outside the speedway staff raising funds for the celebration “shows they recognize the importance of the event just like we do.”
Bassett said he got the list of the 24 sponsors in 2008 and added other potential sponsors. He sent them all letters on Jan. 20, describing the event and asking for their support, and followed up with phone calls.
“We had a few no’s, but most were very generous in their replies. Some, if they had less employees this year, adjusted their contribution” but still helped, Bassett said.
Others who could not help this year said they would try to do so next year, he added.
The result was 41 sponsors who contributed varying amounts of money to total more than $100,000 to stage the celebration. They include employers with several hundred workers, and some with only half a dozen, Bassett said.
Their money will stage Friday’s event that will include children’s rides, musical entertainment and fireworks, creating summer memories for many of the thousands of people who are expected to attend, he said.
“When I was growing up, our family’s tradition in the summer was to go to Myrtle Beach,” Bassett said. “Those are fond memories that I have, spending time at the beach, at the pavilion, playing putt-putt with my family.
“Times have changed. The economy is tough. We feel people are staying a little closer to home. These (celebrations) are memories our kids will remember 20 years from now,” he added.
The event started in 1999 when Hooker and Stanley furniture companies held a free concert to mark their 75th anniversaries. The next year, Henry County Parks and Recreation joined in.
“Clay (Campbell) shouldered it for a number of years since it became Celebration 2001,” Bassett said. “Clay’s staff is wonderful to work with. They stay behind the scenes and do a lot of work for this.
“The community owes a lot of thanks to Clay and his staff. It’s a nice, clean and safe celebration,” Bassett said.
And it is one that Bassett and other sponsors are committed to continuing, he said.
“I am more than willing to help any way I can” in the future,” he added. |
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