FAIRMONT - After 21 years of entertaining local residents, Lip Sync is bowing out, taking with it one of the Salvation Army's largest fund-raising opportunities.
The annual variety show performed each summer fell victim to a lack of participation - too few groups to sing and dance, and a lack of volunteers to help present them, according to Captain Mikey Carter at the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, which has overseen Lip Sync in the past, is without a president, although there are other volunteers still involved with the group. According to Carter, there simply weren't enough people to put the program together.
"It takes quite a bit of time to plan it," she said.
Two programs offered annually by the Salvation Army will be particularly affected by the cancellation of the show. Last year's performance raised more than $12,000. The three previous years earned about $13,500.
Most of the funds were used to support social service activities, such as the school supplies and Christmas gift program.
The school supply project, which kicks off in just two months, is separate from Stuff for School - a program organized by 3M Cares and Avery Weigh-Tronix to bring supplies to Martin County kindergartners. The Salvation Army program collects and distributes supplies for grades K-8, and is in need of new or gently used backpacks, pens, pencils, wide-ruled notebooks, glue, crayons.
"Because we can't rely on the funds, we are looking for alternative ways to fund the programs," Carter said.
The Salvation Army is accepting donations in addition to school materials.
As for the future of Lip Sync, Carter says while it was a tremendous fund-raising success, she is unsure if they will bring it back.
"We are sad (residents) won't have an event to go to, but there continues to be a need for the coming year's programs," she said.
Checks can be sent to: 114 E. Blue Earth Ave., Fairmont, MN 56031.