Fund drive just shy of $50,000 goal; event raises record amount from current and former residents of community

Long-time Ellendale Opera House leader and advocate Jeanette Robb-Ruenz had much more to celebrate than her 80th birthday at the Opera House Lobby & Gallery Saturday, July 20.

That’s because her birthday event generated $48,000 in donations for renovation of the historic landmark on Main Street.

A total of $24,000 in contributions was made to the“Building Our Future and Preserving Our Past” campaign from more than 70 individuals, businesses and organizations.That amount will be matched dollar-for-dollar by anonymous supporters.

The resulting $48,000 was just shy of the $50,000 campaign event goal, but was a major advance for the capital campaign to raise $560,000 for the Phase I renovations of the 110-year-old building.

O.P.E.R.A., Inc. has received nearly $1,500 in donations to the matching campaign to celebrate long-time Opera House advocate Jeanette Robb-Ruenz on her 80th birthday.

Anonymous supporters have pledged to match campaign contributions up to $25,000. All funds would go toward renovation of the Opera House storefronts.

In order to qualify for the dollar-for-dollar match, contributions need to be made between now and July 20.

You can make a donation by check or online.

To make a cash contribution, simple mail your check to O.P.E.R.A., Inc., P.O. Box 334, Ellendale ND 58436.

Or, go to www.ellendaleoperahouse.com and click on the “DONATE” link to make a contribution online.

The year-end matching campaign to help fund renovation of the Ellendale Opera House was a huge success.

Contributions totaling nearly $10,000 were made to the capital campaign between November 15 and December 31.

Initially, anonymous supporters pledged to match donations dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000. But when donations grew past $5,000, those same supporters agreed to up the ante to match the total $10,000 received during the campaign.

As a result, $20,000 will be added to the Opera House “Building Our Future & Preserving Our Past” capital campaign fund. With the year-end contributions, the non-profit charitable group that owns the Main Street landmark, is nearly a third of the way toward its Phase I goal of $560,000.

The Ellendale Area Arts Council silent art and wreath auction will end at noon Dec. 19.

More photos will be posted on Lana Schlecht's Facebook page, where you can message her to bid on the items. Or, email your bids to Ken S. at: kschm1965@drtel.net

Donate before the end of the year and your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar

CLICK HERE to donate online.

Now is the best time to make a donation to the capital campaign to renovate the Ellendale Opera House.

Thanks to anonymous supporters, each dollar donated to the opera house between now and the end of the year will be matched with an equal amount up to a total of $5,000.

So,if you donate $100 to the opera house capital improvement campaign before January 1, O.P.E.R.A., Inc. (Organization of People in Ellendale for Restoration of the Arts) will receive $200.

The charitable non-profit organization kicked off its Phase I capital campaign – Building Our Future & Preserving Our Past – in September to raise $560,000.