Raise funds while watching movies

It doesn't get much better than this. You can raise money for a good cause while watching five great films during the Midnight Movie Marathon at Duggan Cinemas starting at midnight on Saturday, June 16, and ending mid-morning on Sunday.

Movie marathon participants will seek pledges from friends, family and businesses to raise funds for the Battle River Community Foundation (BRCF). "We are grateful to be the beneficiary of this event that creates a good community spirit," said Blain Fowler, BRCF chair. The BRCF supports and donates to many charities and projects in Camrose and the surrounding area.

"We initiated the Midnight Movie Marathon promotion in Camrose as another opportunity for Magic Lantern Theatres to give something back to the community," said Gulshan Singh, marketing consultant of the theatre group that includes Duggan Cinemas in Camrose. "We pay for everything so all of the pledges that come in can go to charity through the Battle River Community Foundation. We were looking for a community charity and we feel the BRCF is a perfect fit for what we want to accomplish."

Although this is the first charity movie marathon for Camrose, the Midnight Movie Marathon project is in its eighth year in Toronto. "Each year, we have more participants and more funds raised because people are really getting into it," added Gulshan. "They love to come to the cinemas and bring their pillows and blankets. We have some die-hard movie buffs who raise funds while having a lot of fun watching them."

Gulshan said helping the communities where they have cinemas is the goal of Magic Lantern Theatres. "We want the community to benefit and this is one way of doing that. We cover the costs of the entire operation, the movies, the staffing and the promotions, so that 100 per cent of the money raised can go towards charity," explained Gulshan. "It is like any other marathon. People need to seek pledges from others. The minimum is $20, but we have had some people raise as much as $2,000 each. It really does add up if we can have 100 to 150 people in the theatre."

The movie marathon has caught on in the rest of Canada. "It is a great way to spend the night. Instead of running a marathon to raise funds, people can relax and enjoy movies. We think it is a good idea and the perfect deal," said Gulshan. "A chance to win door prizes, refreshments and entertainment will be provided. We make the participation as lively as possible to keep everyone awake."

The movies shown in Camrose will be Sherlock Holmes Game of Shadows, The Vow, Act of Valor, We Bought a Zoo and a surprise movie selected from the current attractions playing at Duggan Cinemas.

"It is a very exciting event and lots of fun. I want people from Camrose to have fun with this and support the Battle River Community Foundation," said Gulshan. Participants must be 14 years of age or older and register prior to the marathon from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. on June 16.

For more information call Duggan Cinemas at 780-608-2148, stop by the theatre to pick up pledge forms, or visit www.MagicLanternTheatres.ca to download your own forms.