The Strand Theatre’s Free Summer Kids Series returned this year after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic and again made a measurable, positive impact on the community.
During the 2022 series, which ran Tuesdays from June 7 through Aug. 2, more than 2,500 patrons gave to nonprofit agencies. These nonprofits received:
• $740.50 in total cash donations
• 398 pounds of nonperishable food provided for People in Need
• $817 in gift cards for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Delaware County
• 784 total paper products and cleaning products
• 260 pounds of individually wrapped snacks
• 180 pounds of toiletries and personal care items
• 753 school and office supply items
• $794.18 in clothing donations
“It is so fulfilling to see children come in excited to give to our nonprofit recipients,” said Tracey Peyton, the Strand’s managing director. “When we can instill this spirit of generosity at such an early age, this is only a glimpse of what is to come — a future of charitable adults. It makes my heart melt to see our patrons answer this call to action.”
Peyton added the Strand Theatre’s Free Summer Kids Series has been a staple in Delaware County for decades, and its mission is to offer Delaware children free daytime entertainment, teach them to give to those in need, and provide essential supplies to local charities that benefit from these donations.
“As we look ahead, we are always looking at ways we can make this program better for everyone – the children, local charities and the Strand,” Peyton said. “The Strand needs to show the best movies available to ensure greater attendance. Greater attendance means more charitable donations. Greater attendance also increases concession sales, which enables the Strand to sponsor this program at no cost to the public.”
Established in 1916, the Strand Theatre, located at 28 E. Winter St. in downtown Delaware, is one of the 10 oldest continuously operating movie theatres in the country showing first-run films. The nonprofit Strand has been recognized nationally for its Sensory initiative and is a recent recipient of the Quality-of-Life Award given by the Delaware Chamber of Commerce to a nonprofit group that makes a significant contribution to the community. The Strand earned two awards in 2021 for its efforts during the pandemic: Main Street Delaware’s Business Innovation Award and Heritage Ohio’s Ohio Historical Theatre of the Year Award.
