🎵 Come on, Barbie, Let’s Raise Money 🎵
Everyone seems to be jumping on the Barbie bandwagon, so City Councilor Ashley Bermel leveraged the excitement for the pink franchise to raise funds and awareness for Building North Liberty’s Next Stage.
On Tuesday evening, Aug. 1, attendees gathered in the lobby of FilmScene at The Chauncey for group pictures, themed goodie bags and T-shirts, and packed a theatre for the screening. Councilor Bermel secured the rental and sold out the 66-seat theatre for $35 per ticket on Eventbrite. The ticket revenue and additional goodwill donations collected total $3,000 — all of which will go in the designated Next Stage fund at the Community Foundation of Johnson County thanks to Bermel generously covering rental and event costs.
“Grassroots and community-driven initiatives hold the transformative potential to shape our city’s bright future.” said Councilor Bermel. “Through this event, I hope to ignite North Liberty residents’ creative spirit, inspiring more opportunities for collective fundraising and community building.”
The Next Stage campaign launched in March to support the City’s plans to transform Centennial Park into a magnetic gathering place designed to attract visitors and provide unique recreation and entertainment opportunities for the local community. The City has committed $6.5 million to the project, with the Next Stage campaign accelerating the phases with a $1 million in community support. Donations can be made through the Community Foundation of Johnson County. Total gifts of $500 or more will be recognized permanently at the park reflective of impact.
Unique events like the Barbie showing and other fundraising events slated for later this year will help keep the campaign’s momentum — which is nearly a quarter of the way to reaching its $1 million goal in community support. “A creative approach to fundraising is vital for any campaign,” said City of North Liberty Assistant Director of Community Relations Jillian Miller. “We’re grateful for Ashley’s enthusiasm and her talent to be able to rally the community around a shared goal.”
The Centennial Center — an indoor event space and connected outdoor stage — is the first of four phases with plans to break ground next July and complete construction in summer 2025. The multifaceted facility will welcome public events like craft fairs and author visits as well as private events such as business functions and weddings. A wide range of ticketed and free programs will be showcased seasonally on the outdoor stage including performances by touring artists, comedians, symphony orchestras, local dance studios and school district choir and band ensembles. Phases two through four of Centennial Park include the addition of a premier splash pad, an open-air pavilion, expansive plaza spaces, wheelchair-accessible playground features, expanded parking and trails, restrooms and an honor garden.
Visit northlibertyiowa.org/nextstage to learn more about the project and make a donation. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
