|
 |
BlueCross BlueShield of SC Matching Campaign Raises
$223,810 for Columbia City Ballet
Columbia City Ballet is proud to announce that the total amount raised, including the match from BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, during the Ballet’s recent matching campaign (which ended on October 26) is $223,810.
“This is truly a testament of how important Columbia City Ballet is to the community,” said William Starrett, Columbia City Ballet’s executive and artistic director. “I can’t begin to express my gratitude to BlueCross BlueShield and all the individuals and corporations that stepped forward on behalf of the company. It would never be possible to mount productions of this level from ticket sales alone. All non-profit arts organizations everywhere rely on additional corporate, public and individual funding. This is a tremendous helping hand, but we still have a long way to go.”
BlueCross Chief Public Relations Officer Donna Thorne said, “We are thrilled that the community joined us in saving one of Columbia’s great artistic assets. At BlueCross we believe it is a privilege to be able to step up in the communities where we do business and help when help is needed.” Contributions to the Company came in many forms, from $38 in change from a 12 year-old girl who broke open her piggy bank to contribute to the cause to major funding from corporations. Time Warner Cable stepped forward, as well as Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough; Bauknight, Pietras & Stormer; Carolina First; Preferred Construction; McNair Law Firm; First Citizens; Edens & Avant; NBSC; Wachovia; and SCANA.
Recent requests to the City of Columbia by the Ballet for emergency financial aid brought attention to the fact that additional support was needed to make sure that Frankenstein made it to the stage. Columbia City Ballet faced a $300,000 debt as a result of fundraising shortfalls surrounding Off the Wall & Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green, the $1.2 million production that premiered in February 2005 and gained national attention from publications such as The New York Times and Southern Living.
|
 |
