COVER STORY 28 JULY 2022 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition In the center of America’s heartland, Branson, Missouri, has embraced a mission to help children with severe disabilities across the globe through an initiative aptly titled BRANSON CARES. Dubbed “The Live Entertainment Capital of America,” Branson attracts more than 9 million visitors a year to experience thrilling attractions and the outdoor beauty of the Ozarks in a hospitable, family-friendly environment. But it’s the theater industry in Branson that’s leading the charge by inviting audiences to join the community in donating to Hope Haven International Ministries, an organization that provides free pediatric wheelchairs to children who would otherwise be without mobility. “Branson has always had a big humanitarian heart,” said Bob Nichols, president of Branson Academy for the Advancement of Music and Theatre (BAAMT), “but BRANSON CARES is different because it’s our shows and theaters leading our community in a citywide effort… The children who are receiving benefit of these wheelchairs are in 109 different countries. Hope Haven has already distributed over 130,000 wheelchairs, but now Branson has the opportunity to step forward as a city that cares and be the funding mechanism for this incredible program.” Everybody has an opportunity to build a display based on what their facilities can accommodate, explained Nichols. Many include a banner, wheelchair and a DipJar that accepts a credit card for donation. At intermission they run a video that shows the good work of these wheelchairs being distributed, which is introduced by the entertainers in each theater endorsing the program, and if people feel passionate about it, there’s a place in the lobby where they can donate. “During three weeks in November, our entertainers announce from the stage that they will be in the lobby after the show with red buckets, taking cash donations in person from their guests as they exit the theater. The third segment is in the spring when we will host a stage production, featuring entertainers from as many shows in town as we can squeeze in. Held at Branson Famous Theater, where the local group called the Baldknobbers performs, it celebrates the achievements of the citywide BRANSON CARES charity drive at the same time that we preview our shows for the coming year.” The script BRANSON CARES was modeled after the historic Broadway Cares initiative begun in the 1980’s when the entertainment industry was reeling from the onset of the AIDS epidemic. Performers collected donations in red buckets in the lobby to help their peers who were dying from the disease. Since it began in 1988, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has raised more than $300 million for essential services for people with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. While it’s not Broadway, Branson is a tourist destination driven mostly by music and live shows. Home to 33 theaters offering more than 115 shows, Branson has more live theater seats than any other town in the country. Since the first family began to perform in Branson as the “Baldknobbers” in the 1950’s, it has attracted such legends as Roy Clark, the Presleys, Mel Tillis, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Tony Orlando, Bobby Vinton, Dolly Parton and many others. Branson is home to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater and the renowned Sight and Sound Theatres, known for its musical production of the life of JESUS, and much more. The concept for BRANSON CARES was introduced to BAAMT by the Hope Haven team led by Good News publisher, Les Feldman, who is philanthropic and previously worked closely with the entertainment industry while publishing PLAYBILL® for over 30 years in theaters across the country. “When Les brought this to me last fall, we took it to the board immediately,” said Nichols. “What we saw was an opportunity to not only be a part of an incredible program, which is so viscerally enriching the lives of so many people around the world, but also an opportunity to bring the members of our industry together for a common cause. Our industry could lead the way to uniting the various segments of our tourism economy behind this incredible, caring effort as well. The wins are lined up with this deal, uniting our industry, uniting our community, providing care for these kids who need it. It’s a work of passion.” The cast Brandon Mabe, manager of Branson Famous Theater and a performer starring in the Baldknobbers show his grandfather and great uncles started more than 60 years ago, said, “I thought it was awesome that we could come together as a community and raise money for pediatric wheelchairs to go to these children who are deeply in need of them.” Mabe recalled a childhood friend with Muscular Dystrophy who relied on a wheelchair and said that “pulled at my heartstrings.” Laurie Hayes, executive director of the Branson Area Lodging Association, representing over 150 lodging properties, said, “The hospitality in Branson is unique. Faith is still very important to many of us in Branson, and the travelers who come to Branson tend to believe in faith, family and flag, so I think it’s a good fit.” Hayes said she liked Hope Haven so much that she had them make a presentation to the Rotary Club as well. “Rotary is very big on polio vaccinaBRANSON CARES: How the Entertainment Industry is Leading a Community to Make a Global Impact, Providing FreeWheelchairs for Children with Severe Disabilities Shelly Pond Good News Editor The Dutton Family supports Branson Cares in their theater.
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