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Festival benefits fire victims

Staff Report

Thanks to music lovers enjoying the entertainment at this year’s Strawberry Days festival, the Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association has made a $1,200 donation to the city’s Coal Seam Fire Relief Fund.

A portion of the musical main stage gate fees, or $1 from each entrance paid, will be given directly to those affected by the fire through the city-sponsored fund.

“We want to say thanks to all the people who came to Strawberry Days to enjoy the entertainment. Without their participation, we would not have been able to make this donation,” said Cindy Svatos, director of special projects for the chamber.



The 2002 Strawberry Days was also a profitable fund-raiser for local philanthropic and youth organizations, which earned more than $10,000.

Local groups contributed their time to such festival duties as trash patrol in exchange for donations to the organizations. Proceeds to nonprofit organizations included $2,000 to the Glenwood Springs Kiwanis club, $900 to the Glenwood Springs High School cheerleaders, $500 to the Mountain View Church youth group and $500 to the Glenwood Springs High School band. St. Stephen’s School earned $7,000 for the use of school facilities for the festival carnival.



The Glenwood Springs Noon Rotary Club earned funds through the efforts of its annual pancake breakfast. More than 400 people were served on Sunday morning of Strawberry Days. The Sunlight Ski Team also raised funds through sales at a drink booth, and the Elks Lodge in Glenwood Springs earned money with a food vendor booth.

In the Strawberry Days beer garden, volunteers set out tip jars to collect donations.

Several hundred dollars were raised each of the three evenings, with half donated to the Coal Seam Fire fund and half going to the fund for the family of Glenwood Springs murder victim Tom Lubchenco.

Svatos reports that the chamber returns to the community approximately $120,000 each Strawberry Days, including payments for vendor services for such things as portable toilets and trophies.


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