By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
There was a red-carpet entrance and special door princesses at the Barron Red Carpet Club Free Movie Night on Thursday, February 6 in Pratt. It was a special celebration to thank donors who have supported the Barron Theatre, Youth Core Ministries, and The Store Next Door.
“We had 100 on the dot in attendance,” said Youth Core Ministries Lead, Pratt Community Liaison and Mentoring Assistant Jen Hamilton. “We had free admissions, unlimited popcorn and soda, photo booth and raffle giveaways. It was so much fun. We are so thankful for our supporters.”
Raffle winners announced before the free movie showing of Maverick Top Gun were Larry Bell, Peggy Ellison and Jeff Taylor.
Also prior to the movie, those in attendance were treated to live piano music by master performer Duane Hanks, a 10 minute ‘Thank you’ video, and two youth testimonies shared by Dylan Lehman and Riley Dean.
“All we do is for the Glory of God! Our goal is to love on the Youth of Pratt and show them the love of Jesus,” Hamilton said. “We always need more volunteers to help out with our movies, youth core mentorship, and store work, but we want our community to know how very thankful we are of all the support we already receive.”
Hamilton said there were 29 loyal community supporters who keep the Barron Theaters’ doors open. To be a Barron Red Carpet Club Member, businesses or individuals give one of three tiers: $50/month; $100/month; $200/month. Hamilton said all donations help keep movies running for Pratt and surrounding communities.
“We run Core Life and other programs out of the Barron Theater. However, without these generous donations, movies might not have continued to be shown. Hollywood keeps taking more and more of our profits. So, it has increasingly become more of a financial burden,” she said. “With help from our loving donors, The Barron will be able to thrive for years to come!”
Volunteers to take tickets and serve concessions, as well as leaders to supervise the movie times (Fridays 7 p.m.; Saturdays 7 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.) are always welcome. Those who work receive a Barron Movie Voucher.
“It’s super fun! Please join our Barron Team today!” Hamilton said. “We’re also always needing volunteers at The Store Next Door. Each time you volunteer at the Store Next Door, you’ll receive Store Bucks.”
As for Pratt Ministries, which is a part of Youth Core Ministries groups in 16 counties and two states, the outreach made possible by local donations is impactful.
“We are ministering to about 1000 adults, youth and kids each week through Core Life, Core Mentoring and Core Community,” Hamilton said. “We have five potential new sites in the works.”
In Pratt, Barron Theater and Store Next Door proceeds help fund Core Life and Core Mentoring.
“Core Life is our youth gathering Tuesday nights during the school year (5th/6th; 7th/8th; high school),” Hamilton said. “We average 60+ every Tuesday night. We have a Winter Camp and a Summer Camp. Last year Summer Camp attendance was 97 Youth. Middle School Winter Camp is: February 21st-23. High School Winter Camp is: February 28th-March 2nd. Please pray for all Youth and Leaders! We are always in need of loving adults to hang out with the kiddos on Tuesday Nights! Come join us!”
Hamilton said that Core Mentoring is a program in the Pratt and Skyline Schools also funded by local donations.
“We match a high schooler with a grade school or middle schooler,” she said. “Pratt has seven programs in five different buildings with 69 pairs (138 kiddos). Skyline has 21 pairs (42 kiddos). Community Mentoring has 17 pairs. We match a Loving Adult with a Youth.
“We always need loving adults to volunteer their time as a Community Mentor! We have many kiddos on a waiting list. You just hang out with your mentee once a week for an hour. Are you able to love on a kiddo once a week?”
Hamilton asks that potential volunteers in any of these ministries to contact her at 620-388-4371; jen.reachpratt@gmail.com. Anyone who would also like to donate financially to these community programs may contact Hamilton through the same networks.
