Local officials want to mark the 25th anniversary of the Black River Coliseum by highlighting what it does best, serving the community.
The goal is to raise $25,000 to benefit the charity Sleep In Heavenly Peace and hold one massive build day Aug. 10, Robbie Myers, a c-chair of the 25th anniversary event. SIHP provides beds to children who are without and currently has a waiting list.
The announcement was made Sunday, before the start of the Jeff Foxworthy event, with a special appearance by the headliner himself.
“We’re going to do a service project,” Myers shared. “That’s what this community center is about, to give back, not just to entertain us. It’s to bring our community together.”
Missouri Highlands Healthcare kicked off the donations by contributing $2,500 to the project and challenging other community leaders to do the same.
Their donation was followed by a $2,500 contribution from FCC Behavioral Health.
Another $5,000 was commented to the project by the Daily American Republic, which has named SIHP its charity to be honored Aug. 29 at the sixth annual Difference Makers banquet.
“Dave Elledge (co-founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace) was our Difference Maker of the Year in 2020 for his volunteer work within the community, including Sleep in Heavenly Peace and the Buddy Ball program. What he and the organizations do every year is inspiring,” Pruett said. “The newspaper is thrilled to help celebrate the coliseum’s 25th anniversary and announce the bed build for Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
“The newspaper is proud to be a part of a community that shows up and supports so many outstanding people who serve our community.”
Efforts to bring the Coliseum to reality started in the late 1980s, shared 25th anniversary event co-chair Mark Massingham, who is on the city council and is a former city manager and city finance director.
Foxworthy was the first headline act when the building eventually opened, shared Myers, who is also Butler County Emergency Management Agency director.
“It has become the epitome of a community center,” Myers said. “It’s hosted entertainment, comedy and magic and music. It’s been a shelter at times when we’ve had ice storms and floods. It’s been a place where we’ve had celebrations, weddings and receptions...
“It’s much more than just the concrete and the glass. It’s part of who our community is.”
Foxworthy’s return and the announcement of this community service project bring events full circle, said Myers.
In addition to donations from Missouri Highlands, FCC and Difference Makers, Home Depot has also committed $6,000 worth of building materials to the project and Northpoint Nazarene Church will provide $2,500 worth of pillows.
“We’re floored. We’re overwhelmed,” said Elledge, local chapter president for SIHP.
He stated the charity has never built more than 50 beds at a time. At the BRC on Aug. 10, Elledge hopes to build over 100.
Missouri Highlands Health Care is sponsoring the 25th birthday bash, which will include barbecue and food provided for the event.
After the presentation of checks, Foxworthy stepped in unannounced. He was greeted with cheers from the whole room.
Myers presented him with a specially made blanket with a design of the original poster from his performance 25 years ago and a current photo.
Foxworthy quipped at the original poster, “There was a lot more brown hair.”
With the selection of Foxworthy as the first performer, community leaders at the time wanted to set the right tone, Myers said. In Foxworthy, they found someone who represented the hardworking values of the community, and who has continued to deliver in the years since.
Foxworthy expressed excitement for the SIHP drive.
“That’s awesome,” Foxworthy said. “I love on the people who love on the kids.”
After the conclusion of the event, Foxworthy made himself available for pictures for everyone in attendance.
Presentations were also made during the event by state Sen. Jason Bean and state Rep. Hardy Billington, recognizing the Coliseum’s 25 years and Director Greg Smith, who has been with the Coliseum since it opened.
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