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COMMUNITY
GILBERT SUN NEWS | JANUARY 23, 2022
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Gilbert nonprofit’s gala would support new theater plan GSN NEWS STAFF
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Gilbert nonprofit is planning a gala to raise funds for its big dream of building a performing arts theater “to enrich our East Valley communities. INSPIRE Music Service Hope will hold its “A Night at the Theatre” gala starting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, One S. San Marcos Place in downtown Chandler. It will be hosted by Amber Barto, the 2021 Miss America, and will include live performances of Broadway show tunes, dinner and a live auction featuring helicopter rides, international service tours, a hand-drawn family portrait and more. Tickets start at $150 for two guests while tables cost $750 and can accommodate 10. They are available at inspiremsh.
The Gilbert nonprofit INSPIRE Music Service Hope envisions building this 65,000-squarefoot theater and studio somewhere in the East Valley. (Courtesy of INSPIRE) org/gala-tickets. And sponsorships are still available by writing musicservicehope@gmail.com. INSPIRE vocal director and spokesman Eric Sackett said the nonprofit is eyeing
several sites for a 65,000 square-footvenue “designed to enrich our East Valley communities.” “The project will bring new economic opportunities to Arizona, provide new
jobs to hundreds of workers, and offer a professional venue to host Broadway-caliber performances and tours,” he said. The nonprofit envisions the new facility will include a 600-seat proscenium theater, a 200-seat studio theatre that would be available for events, back-of-the-house support with a scene shop, dressing rooms and other facilities; a 10,000-square-foot administration space, and rehearsal and classroom spaces. Currently, INSPIRE’s for-profit business, INSPIRE Entertainment, owns and operates a dance studio at Baseline and Greenfield roads, where it has more than 800 students in its various performance classes.
see INSPIRE page 16
Gilbert mom wins $10K from Barro’s, Dr Pepper GSN NEWS STAFF
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ilbert mom Whitney Gaither got a big helping hand from Barro’s Pizza in her effort to get her master’s degree after winning $10,000 in the 2021 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. The prize is awarded by Barro and Dr Pepper to one Valley resident to help pay for college tuition or any related educational expenses. Gaither, the mother of four children ages 5 to 11, is an emergency room nurse for Banner hospitals in the East Valley and recently enrolled in Western Governors University to pursue a master’s in nursing education. “I am over-the-moon excited about this opportunity to show my kids that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it and that education is important,” said Gaither.
Barro’s Pizza awarded $10,000 to Gilbert Mom and ER nurse Whitney Gaither recently, second from right, for winning of the 2021 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. With Gaither were, from left: Barro’s employees Zach Alvarez and Ashley Wellington, Barro’s co-owner Bruce Barro and Barro employee Nicole Thomas. (Special to GSN) “Winning this money has lifted a tremendous weight off my shoulders and paves the way to reach my goal of teaching and investing in future nurses, something I am so passionate about.” With 46 restaurants throughout Ari-
zona and more than 40 years in business, the Barro family says it prides itself on finding ways to support and improve the communities they serve. “Being able to help someone like Whitney, an essential worker and mom
of four young kids, is really what our commitment to the community is all about.” said Bruce Barro, co-owner of Barro’s Pizza. “Through our partnership with Dr Pepper, we are so happy to help her pursue her dreams and be a good role model for her kids – teaching them how important a good education is.” The Barro’s Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway has awarded $85,000 to students in Arizona since 2012. Submissions were open to all Arizona residents 18 years or older and a winner was chosen at random out of approximately 12,000 entries. The winner can use the money to pay for current expenses such as tuition and books or to pay off outstanding student loans. Information: drpeppertuition.com.
