The Belmar Arts Council (BAC), in partnership with the OceanFirst Bank Foundation, has launched the “Open the door to make BelmarArts Accessible for Everyone ” campaign to pay for a new power-assisted door at the BAC’s Boatworks Gallery, 608 River Road, Belmar, N.J. Donations can be made through http://www.crowdrise.com/BelmarArts until 11:59pm EST on Friday, May 9.
The new door, estimated to cost $10,000, would complete making the BAC Boatworks Gallery building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The door also would help families with children to enter the building as well as assist artists who are setting up and removing displays. The new door is the last major item that needed to be replaced at the building, which was damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
The OceanFirst Bank Foundation is managing the fundraiser as part of its OceanFirst Charity Challenge. The Charity Challenge charities are using online and social media crowdsourcing to raise funds. One lucky donor to the BAC program will win an iPad Mini.
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"Accessibility, and the arts, benefits everybody," says Belmar Borough Councilwoman Janis Keown-Blackburn, who is chair of Belmar's ADA Committee and a BelmarArts member. "The new door will make a big difference for those who have mobility challenges in enabling them to experience and enjoy the Belmar Arts Council's fine programs. For those reasons I urge everyone to contribute to the Belmar Arts Council's campaign."
