Cigar Club Raises Nearly $6000 Dollars To Support The Arts
Executive Director Jim Barber was excited when the Branson Regional Arts Council’s had been selected as this year’s recipient of proceeds raised from the Sporting Clays for the Arts Event held last March 2022. The fundraising event presented by Embers Cigar Lounge at the Branson Landing raised a total of $5,812.00 for the Arts Council.
Branson’s locally owned Cigar Shop Embers Cigar Lounge started a cigar club in 2020, “eMbers Only Cigar Club” with a goal of giving and supporting locally owned charitable organizations who work hard to bring value to the local community.
“We are very excited about our participation in the Sporting Clay Shoot to support the Branson Regional Arts Council,” Tom Forster, Club Chairman, explains. “As a group we feel strongly that by involving folks of all ages, especially the young, to become involved in the arts, we can introduce lifelong passions that only add to our amazing culture right here in the Ozarks,” said Forster. “Our community is blessed to have business owners like Kevin and Betsy McConnell who support the club’s passion to create charitable events for the Branson area,” he added.
Though the proceeds were immediately presented to the Arts Council after the event in March, a formal check presentation occured at the Embers Cigar Lounge on May 17th with several members of the club in attendance.
Event sponsors who donated to the fundraising event included: Reece Nichols Real Estate – RPT Homes LLC (Event Sponsor), Show Me Flooring, Embers Cigar Lounge, Branson Imax Entertainment Complex, Branson Screen Printing, Starvin Marvin’s Restaurant, Outraged Rage Room, Weathered Oak LLC, The Tracks, Connell Insurance, Myers Hospitality, Clay Cooper Theatre, and American Exposition LLC.
“I wish to thank everyone involved in this fundraising event, from those who registered to participate as shooters, to the generous area business leaders who gave of their resources to benefit the important work being done by the Arts Council,” said Barber. “Special appreciation to Kevin and Betsy McConnell and Tom Forster for sharing my appreciation of just how vital a thriving arts education program is to the future growth and esteem of young people in our community,” he added.
The Branson Regional Arts Council was founded in 1965 as the “Taney Arts Council,” and officially established 501 (c)(3) non-profit status as “Branson Arts Council, Inc.” in 1993.
Our mission is “to create exceptional artistic, cultural and educational opportunities for our community.”
Financial support is provided by BRAC members, theatre patrons, private donors, as well as additional grant support from the Missouri Arts Council and other organizations.
BRAC, PO Box 2004, Branson, MO 65615