UPDATE: The inaugural Banner Elk Firehouse Fundraiser featuring the storytelling musical Always Nina raised $8,181 for Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Rescue during the three shows. The total surpassed the $5,000 goal and enables the department to quickly purchase a much-needed rescue litter and a double clutch twin tension rope system kit.
“We are taken back by the immense amount of support we received from the shows performed in the fire department’s honor,” says Banner Elk Fire Chief Tyler Burr. “Exceeding our goal by so much enables us to buy two of the large ticket items needed to further our mission of protecting the public. The items will be purchased this week and put into service as soon as they arrive. The result of the community’s support will certainly make the difference in many lives.”
The show was held at and sponsored by Banner Elk Presbyterian Church. “Always Nina: A Tennessee Story and Songbook” featured their choral director Nina Allbert telling hilarious and heart touching stories from her life, many of them in song accompanied by her band. It received rave reviews from audiences with plenty of laughter, tears and standing ovations at each show.
“Always Nina was a very entertaining performance by a very talented Nina,” says Banner Elk Mayor Brenda Lyerly. “I am so proud of the generosity and support our community has given to the Banner Elk Fire and Rescue. I am also very impressed with the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church community for their support of this event and the picnic they provided to our fire department volunteers. Our Banner Elk community has shown how much we appreciate our fire department members and all they do for us.”
Admission to the shows was free. Members of the church paid all costs of the show, so 100% of donations collected went directly to the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department.
“Our volunteer firemen are an indispensable part of our community,” says Nina. “We wanted to thank these heroes for their dedication, time and service to our community. What would we do without them? We feel it is important to give them the tools they need to do their job and do it well. What could be more important than saving lives in our beautiful town!”
Banner Elk Presbyterian Church is located at 420 College Drive SW, Banner Elk.