BransonCares.com

Generous Friends, We are so very touched and encouraged by the overwhelming response that we have received for the Branson Cares for Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon! To see so many companies and individuals step up and help our friends in Joplin is very inspiring.

The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers (The Branson Show League) is very grateful to be able to donate 100% of the proceeds raised through the Joplin Benefit Concert & Telethon. Through the countless hours that our volunteers have spent producing the concert and telethon and then processing the thousands of pledges that have come in, we are now close to having a reportable, reliable number as to what has been raised.

We are asking that everyone who requested a pledge invoice please return your donation by August 19th. We are also close to finalizing collections of all mailed donations, credit card charges, music downloads, and individual theatre donations. The labor intensive process of collecting every donation and pledge has been wholly dependent on volunteers and we truly appreciate the patience of St. John's Mercy Hospital/Joplin and the Joplin Schools music program as we gather up the donations.

In regards to our drive for musical instruments to benefit the Joplin schools, a fund is being established to help pay for repairs of donated instruments and/or purchase instruments as deemed necessary by the music departments. At this time the Branson Show League has authorized $50,000 out of the donations that have been received for that fund. Both Palen Music Center and Hoover Music Company have received donated instruments and continue to repair those in order to get them into the hands of young students as quickly as possible. We greatly appreciate our music sponsors, especially with band camp season coming up!

We are again asking everyone who made pledges to get those donations in by August 19th in order for us to give an accurate total of all donations received; and then pass those donations on to St. John's Mercy Hospital/Joplin and the Joplin Schools music program.

Again, we feel so fortunate to be able to work with such wonderful people in a time of crisis, and hope that the efforts here assist the people of Joplin on their road to a full recovery! We appreciate the support and patience from all of those who graciously volunteered their time, talents, and money for this worthwhile cause.

Sincerely,

The League of Branson Theatre Owners & Show Producers

June 26 - Live From Branson for more information click here:  www.JoplinBenefit.com

By Dale Richter
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

Last fall, a group from Eastwood's New Horizons Club journeyed to Branson, Mo., the live entertainment capital of the world.

There are 52 state-of-the-art theaters with more than 100 different shows appealing to all ages, with music from nearly every era and style performed by rising young entertainers and legendary stars.

Beginning the first week of November, when we were there, and running through Christmas, the shows devote at least half of each performance to holiday-themed music, sets, costumes and production numbers.

We took in a total of eight shows while in Branson: For the rest of the story click here:

http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=21&a=411967

About the writer Dale Richter is retired from Mayo Clinic.

Getting there: By motorcoach.

Where he stayed: Radisson Hotel in Branson.

Where to eat: Landry's Seafood House, Tony Z's Italian Restaurant, College of the Ozarks Keeter Central Restaurant, Andy Williams' Moon River Grill, and Hard Luck Cafe.

Travel tip: The dress is very casual.