Christian Action Ministries’ 2nd Annual Gospel Sing-Off fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday September 5th from 3 PM to 6 PM at Sight & Sound Theatres.  As the primary annual fundraiser for the operation of CAM’s food pantries in Branson and Forsyth, community sponsors are critical to the overall success of the event.

“We’ve already been pleased with two key sponsors – Sight & Sound  Theatres and Branson Tourism Center,” said Jack Burke, chairman of the CAM Board of Directors.  “Sight and Sound provides us the free use of their wonderful theatre, and Branson Tourism Center has again made a major contribution for the event.  These two donors enable us to have a state-of-the-art venue with 2,200 seats and provide a sizeable purse for the top three winners.”

Burke went to say, “However, in order to make this a financial success and help us meet the dramatically increased demand, we need local businesses and organizations to help sponsor the Sing-Off.  Currently we are seeking one more key sponsor for the program printing and numerous additional sponsors who will receive advertising space in the program, complimentary tickets to the Sing-Off, and a charitable tax deduction.”

In 2009, 5,881 families came to CAM for assistance, amounting to 14,817 individuals.  Since CAM provides 3 days of emergency food equaling nine nutritious meals per person, that equates to 133,353 meals provided to Taney County residents last year.  The requests for help in 2009 were up 34% over 2008 and the demand over the first few months of 2010 were already up 46% over last year.

Pat Davis, Director of CAM, explained further, “Since the first of the year, we have made a concerted effort to provide nine full and nutritional meals for each individual, based on the basic food groups of the government’s food pyramid.  This means that, aside from local food donations, we are continually purchasing food to maintain a proper balance in our inventory.  Plus, we have also taken over the operations of food pantry in Forsyth, formerly known as My Neighbor’s Pantry, which means we are now serving approximately 800 families per month.  These factors have significantly increased our need for financial donations to augment the food donations we receive.  The success of the Sing-Off is critical to our operations.”

Burke pointed out that Pat Davis assumed the role of director this year on a 100% voluntary basis in order to help CAM reduce operating costs in order to meet the growing need, “Pat has been a true blessing to our community!”

Donations for the various sponsorships range from $2,000 to $250.  A $2,000 “Gold” sponsorship includes a full-page ad in the event program and 10 complimentary tickets.  “Silver” sponsorships are $1,000 and include a half-page ad and six tickets.  “Bronze” sponsorships, valued at $500, receive a quarter page ad and four tickets.  For $250, sponsors are included in an alpha listing of “Honorable Mentions” and two tickets for the show.  In order to allow time for program layout and printing, sponsorships need to be finalized by the end of July.

According to Burke, volunteers will be contacting potential sponsors by phone and CAM has been advertising for sponsors through broadcast e-mails from the Branson Chamber.  Sponsorship forms can be accessed by calling CAM at 334-1157 or by visiting the CAM website at www.christianactionministries.org.

The Sing-Off will feature twelve gospel-singing finalists, pre-selected by committee from all entries received.  The twelve will then compete for the $3,000 prize purse before a panel of celebrity judges.  Branson entertainer and renowned tenor George Dyer will open the show, and last year’s winners, Sons of the Silver Dollar, will be on hand for a closing performance and announcement for this year’s winners.

Tickets for the event are available through Sight & Sound Theatres reservations at 1-800-377-1277, at the Sight & Sound Theatres lobby box office, or through the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550.  Reserved seat tickets are a $12 donation for adults, $6 for children 12 and under.

For more information, contact the CAM offices at 417-334-1157.

About CAM

CAM is celebrating its 25th year of service to the community.  Christian Action Ministries was founded by 11 churches that came together to help better meet the needs of  Taney County residents with a central location for  food distribution.  A non-denominational organization, CAM is dedicated to providing caring assistance, in Christ’s name, to people experiencing temporary crisis.

Branson, Mo … Christian Action Ministries, which operates the CAM Food Pantries in Branson and Forsyth, is seeking contemporary, traditional and southern gospel singing groups that are interested in competing for the 12 finalist positions in CAM’s 2nd Annual Gospel Sing-Off to be held on September 5th.  Deadline for entries has  been extended until July 16th in order to accommodate entries from a multi-state area, as well as local artists.  The 12 finalists, to be selected by a preliminary judging panel, will perform at the beautiful Sight & Sound Theatres venue in Branson.  Entry forms are available at www.christianactionministries.org and there is no entry fee for the contestants.

Bob Hubbard of the Foggy River Boys and The Jordanaires will again emcee the event.  World-renowned tenor and Branson performer George Dyer will open the show and then join the celebrity judging panel, which also includes Ben Dutton of The Dutton Family, and Ronnie Page.  Last year’s winners, Sons of the Silver Dollar, will wrap things up with an appearance at the end of the show and announcement of this year’s winners.

The Sing-Off will be held Sunday September 5th from 3 PM to 6 PM at Branson’s Sight & Sound Theatres,  home to the show “Noah – The Musical”.  First place will winner will receive $1,500, second place $1,000 and third place $500.

CAM’S Gospel Sing-Off is 2010’s major fundraiser to support the CAM Food Pantry, which provided services to 5,881 families in 2009, accounting for assistance to 14,817 individuals in Taney County.  This marked an increase of 34% over 2008, and 2010 numbers are ranging even higher.

CAM is also looking for area businesses to help sponsor the event with an advertising presence in the show’s program.  According to CAM Board Chairman Jack Burke, the goal for sponsorships is $30,000 and participation ranges from $2,000 , which includes a full-page ad, through $250 for an honorable mention.  Burke reinforced that a successful fundraising is critical to the continuing operation of the CAM Food Pantries.

Tickets for the event are available through Sight & Sound Theatres reservations at 1-800-377-1277, at the Sight & Sound Theatres lobby box office, or through the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-785-1550.  Reserved seat tickets are a $12 donation for adults, $6 for children 12 and under.

For more information,  contact the CAM offices at 417-334-1157

Branson, MO —The Holiday Inn Express Green Mountain Drive is Branson’s first Holiday Inn Express featuring the brand’s new sign. This signage is part of the $1 Billion dollar global relaunch of the Holiday Inn brands.

“The relaunch is a result of research showing what matters most to guests—a modern contemporary hotel with efficient, friendly service and a great night’s sleep,” stated Chris Myer, Vice President of Marketing for Myer Hotels. Relaunched hotels such as the Holiday Inn Express on Green Mountain Drive feature upgraded and decluttered lobby areas, the Holiday Inn Express signature scent and sound, new exterior lighting, new signage with the redesigned logo and more.”

Gail Myer, Vice President of Operations for Myer Hotels noted that “All Holiday Inn Express employees will also go through an extensive Stay Real training program to ensure guests receive the level of service they expect.”

The Holiday Inn Express is also putting the final touches on many extensive enhancements which include a new indoor pool, hot tub, game room, exercise room, gift shop and ticket services. “We are excited to enhance this hotel and give travelers even more reasons to stay with us,” said Myer.

The 120-room hotel is located at 2801 Green Mountain Drive in the Thousand Hills area of Branson, off Highway 76 Country Boulevard—just minutes to the shopping, dining and entertainment venues of Branson and features an extensive list of guest amenities including the complimentary Express Start® hot breakfast bar.

About Myer Hotels
In the lodging business for over 40 years, the Myer family has actively contributed to Branson’s hospitality market for 28 years and received numerous national awards. Myer Hotels includes the Best Western Center Pointe Inn, Best Western Music Capital Inn, Comfort Inn at Thousand Hills, Comfort Inn & Suites Branson Meadows, Comfort Inn West, and Holiday Inn Express – Green Mountain Drive. The properties emphasize excellent locations, countless amenities and exceptional customer service while focusing on great value in the upper mid-scale area. For more information about these hotels please visit www.myerhotels.com.

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Andy Williams Moon River Grill is hosting a fundraiser to help local animal charities. All summer kids eat for $1 which will be donated to the Killuminati Foundation – a local dog rescue, and SNAP – a group offering low cost spay and neuter procedures.

Andy Williams and his wife Debbie have rescued dogs of their own and have helped save many others by finding their forever families. Saving lives through adopting death row dogs and the importance of spaying/neutering pets are significant causes the Williams want to spotlight.

The amount of pets that are not spayed or neutered in our area is extremely high and many estimate that the average number of pets euthanized yearly in each state is around 300,000. Sterilized pets tend to live an average of 2 to 3 years longer than unsterilized pets. Pets that are spayed or neutered also have less risk of cancer, diseases and are less likely to roam and in turn less likely to be injured in a fight or get hit by vehicles as well as keeping numbers of unplanned litters down. Half of the animals sitting in an animal shelter at any given time will be adopted, while the other half will be killed.

By eating at the Moon River Grill this summer, you can help the Killuminati Foundation and SNAP save more lives now through Labor Day weekend.

For more information about the Killuminati Foundation, contact Jeanna Callahan at [email protected] or go to www.thekilluminatifoundation.org. For more information about SNAP,
visit www.snap123.org or call 417-823-SNAP.