By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The Jacksonville Museum of Military History’s annual fundraiser and auction netted $15,000 for the beloved nonprofit.
It was held Saturday at the community center.
Museum Chairwoman Joan Zumwalt said, “The Night at the Victory Canteen” banquet is the museum’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It enables the museum to pay its basic bills. A golf tournament is held in the fall. There are things the museum cannot spend Jacksonville Advertising and Promotions money on.
“It is a big boost for the museum. The community has always been very supportive. We are very appreciative of our supporters and the community at large,” she continued.
“We are having more visitors at the museum. They are amazed at the collection and exhibits we have. We can compare with any other museum of its kind. It is also a history of Jacksonville too,” Zumwalt noted.
Museum Director Danna-Kay Duggar said the fundraiser keeps the lights on and the doors to the museum open.
The museum receives some money from the city, but the fundraiser dinner and auction are still necessary.
The nonprofit has one full-time employee and one part-time employee. The rest are volunteers.
“We are grateful for the money from the city. We always wanted to stand on our own. It will always be a goal for us,” Duggar said. “We still have exhibits that we are building.”
The fundraiser had a silent auction and a live auction with auctioneer Larry Biernacki.
The evening wrapped up with musical entertainment. The Bombers performed Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” with Miss Greater Jacksonville Kelli Collins singing with the group.
Collins and Mayor Gary Fletcher sang Johnny Cash and June Carter’s
“Jackson(ville).” Fletcher also sang Kenny Rogers’ “Don’t Take Your Love to Town” and Roy Orbinson’s “Pretty Woman.”
Alderman James Bolden belted out Al Green’s “Take Me to the River.”
The group’s finale was “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden and Whitehead. It was described as an anthem that sums up Jacksonville and its new school district.
The museum, 100 Veterans Circle, opened in May 2005. It is located on the site of the old Jacksonville Ordnance Plant.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special arrangements can be made for groups of 10 or more.
