Portable Theater System for Kids in Need
Donation protected
ReelOutreach may have hit a snag with movie theaters closing, but we have big plans for the future. We want to continue to bring the love of movies to kids in need in a brand new way. To do that, we'll need your help!
Unexpectedly, the world changed for all of us earlier this year. Just a couple weeks ahead of our planned (and organized) event to take kids from Girls Inc. to see Disney’s Mulan, everything shut down. Early on, judging by the way the Pandemic was going, and the science floating around, we made the call to go ahead and cancel all events for 2020.
Our main goal, to give kids in need the chance to enjoy movies, remains the same and unchanged. How we do it, will obviously have to change. To that end, we’re bringing up an original idea we’d talked about soon after we first launched: OUTDOOR EVENTS.
Even as theaters open up, we understand it still might not be the safest for the kids we work with to attend. Outdoor events where we can control seating and the amount of people attending feels like the safest thing, while still delivering on our promise to bring the movies to those who need it most.
Where's The Money Going?
The fundraiser we’re kicking off today is to secure all the equipment needed to host these outdoor events. This includes the projector, a portable screen, the sound system, the player for films, and even some extras (like a popcorn machine)! Of course, there are costs involved with securing the location and permits from cities.
The money we raise here will be used with the goal of “future proofing.” We don’t want to acquire this stuff only for it to be obsolete (or incompatible) with film releases down the road. Not to mention, we want to ensure they are built to last and offer up the best quality in order to give these underprivileged kids the closest we can to the big screen experience.
Once it is safe to do so, it is also our goal to be able to take this setup into children’s hospitals, bringing the experience to them directly. As such, we are asking for more than our usual amount to make sure we can allocate funding to get the best gear we can so we can use it for years to come.
On top of using them for our regular events, the goal with these outdoor screenings will be to help us become more self-sufficient and require less frequent GoFundMe styled fundraisers down the road. We can use our outdoor setup to host specific fundraising events for audiences to attend, enjoy a movie, and help us pay for the next charity screening.
A portion of this money will go to help cover normal operating costs/expenses that have been ongoing this year despite the shut down and cancellation of events.
Any extra money secured beyond our goal will be put towards improving the experience (we've had our eye on some fun, inflatable chairs that families could use during our outdoor events)!
Safety Precautions
With COVID-19 still prevalent and not going away any time soon, there will be some precautions taken to keep our kids safe. For one, this is funding for the future and we will likely not have an event this year. The time will give us a chance to analyze where things are and the current recommended procedures.
Also, the equipment we're looking at includes the option for RADIO signals, much like at a drive-in theater. So families would be able to stay inside their cars during the event if they choose. Other seating will be in designated areas, marked off and separated by our team. All volunteers helping us out will also be required to wear masks, face shields, and gloves.
Seating will be limited in general, but that's a thing we'll have to wait for further guidelines on before fully expanding on. Suffice it to say, we will take the safety of our families with all the gravity necessary once we're up and going.
About Us
At ReelOutreach, our belief is everyone deserves a night (or day) at the movies and that kids, who have no control over their circumstances, need it the most. With rising costs for tickets and concessions, for many kids the enjoyment of sitting down to enjoy a film is sadly out of reach.
While many consider this a luxury, for kids in need it’s a chance to escape and feel normal. For those in foster care, orphanages, or group homes, the funding simply isn’t available for them to get treated to the movies.
As such, even a simple $1 donation is greatly appreciated and can go towards giving these kids the opportunity for something they may not normally have.
You can view images from our previous events (and learn more about us in general) via our website , or Facebook Page.
Unexpectedly, the world changed for all of us earlier this year. Just a couple weeks ahead of our planned (and organized) event to take kids from Girls Inc. to see Disney’s Mulan, everything shut down. Early on, judging by the way the Pandemic was going, and the science floating around, we made the call to go ahead and cancel all events for 2020.
Our main goal, to give kids in need the chance to enjoy movies, remains the same and unchanged. How we do it, will obviously have to change. To that end, we’re bringing up an original idea we’d talked about soon after we first launched: OUTDOOR EVENTS.
Even as theaters open up, we understand it still might not be the safest for the kids we work with to attend. Outdoor events where we can control seating and the amount of people attending feels like the safest thing, while still delivering on our promise to bring the movies to those who need it most.
Where's The Money Going?
The fundraiser we’re kicking off today is to secure all the equipment needed to host these outdoor events. This includes the projector, a portable screen, the sound system, the player for films, and even some extras (like a popcorn machine)! Of course, there are costs involved with securing the location and permits from cities.
The money we raise here will be used with the goal of “future proofing.” We don’t want to acquire this stuff only for it to be obsolete (or incompatible) with film releases down the road. Not to mention, we want to ensure they are built to last and offer up the best quality in order to give these underprivileged kids the closest we can to the big screen experience.
Once it is safe to do so, it is also our goal to be able to take this setup into children’s hospitals, bringing the experience to them directly. As such, we are asking for more than our usual amount to make sure we can allocate funding to get the best gear we can so we can use it for years to come.
On top of using them for our regular events, the goal with these outdoor screenings will be to help us become more self-sufficient and require less frequent GoFundMe styled fundraisers down the road. We can use our outdoor setup to host specific fundraising events for audiences to attend, enjoy a movie, and help us pay for the next charity screening.
A portion of this money will go to help cover normal operating costs/expenses that have been ongoing this year despite the shut down and cancellation of events.
Any extra money secured beyond our goal will be put towards improving the experience (we've had our eye on some fun, inflatable chairs that families could use during our outdoor events)!
Safety Precautions
With COVID-19 still prevalent and not going away any time soon, there will be some precautions taken to keep our kids safe. For one, this is funding for the future and we will likely not have an event this year. The time will give us a chance to analyze where things are and the current recommended procedures.
Also, the equipment we're looking at includes the option for RADIO signals, much like at a drive-in theater. So families would be able to stay inside their cars during the event if they choose. Other seating will be in designated areas, marked off and separated by our team. All volunteers helping us out will also be required to wear masks, face shields, and gloves.
Seating will be limited in general, but that's a thing we'll have to wait for further guidelines on before fully expanding on. Suffice it to say, we will take the safety of our families with all the gravity necessary once we're up and going.
About Us
At ReelOutreach, our belief is everyone deserves a night (or day) at the movies and that kids, who have no control over their circumstances, need it the most. With rising costs for tickets and concessions, for many kids the enjoyment of sitting down to enjoy a film is sadly out of reach.
While many consider this a luxury, for kids in need it’s a chance to escape and feel normal. For those in foster care, orphanages, or group homes, the funding simply isn’t available for them to get treated to the movies.
As such, even a simple $1 donation is greatly appreciated and can go towards giving these kids the opportunity for something they may not normally have.
You can view images from our previous events (and learn more about us in general) via our website , or Facebook Page.
Organizer
Jordan Maison
Organizer
Mansfield, TX
