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The Saginaw Heritage Society -
Bringing Fertility & Mirth to Fundraising
Pete & Paul Barrera with the
'Nines' Hareitage Bunny
By Robert E. Martin
Bunny rabbits are often associated with Easter as a symbol of
growth, fertility, and renewal. And in Saginaw County, with the gleaming
neon 'bean bunny' greeting visitors and passers-by as they cruise over
I-75, the bunny rabbit is also an important visual icon for our area.
With these symbolic associations in mind, Saginaw entrepreneur and
Nines Firehouse Pub owner Paul Barrera has devised an intriguing &
innovative vehicle for augmenting the quality of life in Saginaw County by
forming the Saginaw Hareitage Society, a non-profit fund-raising
organization that hopes to raise $250,000 for such community based
organizations as The Saginaw Art Museum, The Saginaw Children's Zoo,
Saginaw Area Fireworks, and The Saginaw Public Libraries, along with
continued maintenance of the neon 'bean bunny' and the proposed
Mid-Michigan Children's Museum.
Committed to supporting family-based activities and the arts &
humanities, as well as increasing interest in Saginaw County by its
residents & visitors by the use of artistically designed statues resembling
the 'Bean Bunny' throughout the community, Barrera says he hopes to see 100
of the inimitable 6-foot statutes populating business locations within the
next year.
"Originally, I saw this concept in Chicago about a year ago and
thought it was a great idea," explains Paul. "In Chicago they used the
motif of 'Cows on Parade', and after talking with people, I found out the
concept originated in Zurich, Switzerland. I thought this was the coolest
thing and after talking with friends, we realized that Saginaw's icon is
the Bean Bunny, and all the qualities for promotion were present."
With a handful of community movers & shakers, the Saginaw Hareitage
Society started 4-weeks prior to Easter on devising ways to raise money for
significant community organizations.
"Russ Thayer is an accomplished sculptor in our area with a studio
in Detroit," explains Paul, "and he designed a prototype rabbit in plaster.
I took this to several fiberglass-fabricating shops and two or three did
not wish to touch it, finding it too much trouble or too complicated.
Finally, I contacted Precision Concepts in Caro, who handle tons of work
for Bronners, and found them eminently qualified to handle this project.
They did a full scale mock-up which the Board approved, so now we are in
full swing."
They way the Hareitage Fundraising endeavor works is mirthful and
brilliant in its simplicity. For a $2,500 sponsorship, any business or
individual can acquire a bunny sculpture, which is completely tax
deductible under 501.C3 regulations.
Bunny sponsors may name, paint, design, and decide the location of
their bunny. People can commission any artist they wish to design the
piece, or they can paint the rabbits themselves in their garage with oils
and latex in any form they choose.
As an example, for the Nine's Firehouse Pub bunny, Barerra
commissioned a 'Dalmatian rabbit' with 'spots' consisting of the photos of
customers and staff strategically positioned over the bunny. Laughs
Barerra, "We came up with this idea because it is my belief that 'people
make a spot good.'"
Additionally, the fiberglass bunnies can be ordered primed or not
with arms and ears positioned by the sponsor to suit their design.
Moreover, the Society has over 100 concepts for rabbits, so if somebody
doesn't have an idea about what to do with one, they can help with the
rendering and design.
Paul is confident that the Society will achieve their $250,000
fundraising goal. "We are getting a lot of interest and already have at
least a dozen rabbits sold. At this point, a lot of the endeavor involves
getting the word out to the public. We are prepared to have 200 rabbits
produced, but I will be satisfied with 100. That represents a
quarter-of-a-million dollars in fundraising, which is a lot of money."
The Saginaw Hareitage Society decided on benefiting organizations
that are countywide and family based.
"All of the organizations we are raising money for are either
under-funded, under-appreciated, or under-supported," comments Paul. "And
while all of them happen to be located within the City of Saginaw, I stress
that this is a countywide promotion, meaning they are utilized by people
all over the County. We'll have them in Thomas Township, Saginaw Township,
Tittabawassee Township, Chesaning, and our sponsors will place the rabbits
at their individual business."
"The attempt is for attraction, too," adds Paul. "If an individual
wishes to support the arts & humanities, or if a business for security or
propriety purposes wishes to sponsor a rabbit but doesn't have a location
for it, we can place it at the Saginaw Children's Zoo or the Gardens of the
Saginaw Art Museum."
The Saginaw Hareitage Society also intends to support this
fundraising endeavor with a series of special interest activities and
promotions.
In addition to a website at bunnyhunt.com which will feature photos
and a map of bi-weekly 'bunny-sitings', a Children's Mixed-Media Bunny Art
Program is scheduled for Fall, 2000. Following this event will be a 5K
Bunny Run & Tortoise Walk & Children's Hop-Along slated for September 9,
2000.
A Jack Rabbit Festival is slated for September 9-10 which the group
hopes will become an annual event on Ojibway Island. Finally, a Bunny Hop
Oldies Dance is scheduled for November 1, 2000, along with a HareBall &
Auction in February 2001 scheduled for the 'Hareizons Center'.
Given the fact that Saginaw already has many foundations, what void
did Paul feel was missing in the mix that necessitated this new fundraising
endeavor?
"I don't know if there is a void," he explains, "because the
foundations that do serve this community do an excellent job. But what is
missing is a sense of self-worth in the community. I sense a very serious
'we are not worthy' type of attitude and believe this promotion and concept
creates not only a sense of fun and community spirit, but also one of
pride."
"Saginaw can stand shoulder to shoulder with cities like Chicago or
New Orleans and say, 'Hey, we're not a bad placeSwe can make it all come
together. Again, this is not a city or township thing. And aside from the
artistic end, it gives notoriety to a place of business, the community
gains stature and self-worth, and the organizations benefiting from it will
grow and prosper."
"It creates a quality of life we are all looking for."
For more information or to sponsor a Saginaw Hareitage Society Bunny, you
can contact Paul Barrera on the HARELINE at 517-776-9432 at The Saginaw
Hareitage Society, 1313 Bay Street, Suite 201, Saginaw, MI 48602
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