Culture Hub Fire Relief Fund

Updated: Monday, August 8th, 2016

What Happened?

Executive Director Gavin Smith in the Aftermath

The Chewstick Culture Hub at 81 Front Street was impacted by the fire that began on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in a nearby alleyway. It appears that all equipment, furnishings, instruments, art, and cultural items have been destroyed by fire, heat, smoke, water or structural collapse. We do not anticipate insurance to cover most of our losses and many of the items destroyed are truly irreplaceable. The Chewstick Culture Hub was created to be a primary revenue line to help underwrite general operations of The Chewstick Foundation (registered charity #857), to help to subsidize Chewstick Foundation programming and to cover the significant costs incurred with creating a custom-built, multi-purpose performing arts community centre. With the primary revenue stream lost to the fire, and renovation costs that remain outstanding, Chewstick needs to raise money to recoup significant losses. A robust fundraising campaign will be launched shortly. View the full press statement about the losses here.

What Will Happen Next?

Without raising funds to pay for the costs of lost renovations, equipment, and operational revenue streams, we will not be in a position to reopen, relocate, or rebuild. Without significant financial support, Chewstick will become inoperable for the immediate future, and possibly for some time. We urge all members of the community to donate to this charity that has worked tirelessly over the last 13 years to empower one, and to enrich all.

Donate

Bermuda Needs Chewstick. Please consider donating using one of the below links. You can also stop by any of our Official Donation Jar Locations to make a donation.

Donate Online:
https://www.chewstick.org/online-donation/

Donate by Bank Transfer:
https://www.chewstick.org/donate-by-bank-transfer/

Set Up a Donation Jar
JarBanner

Step 1:
Email  fundraising@chewstick.org and let us know you will be setting up a Jar.

Step 2:
Click here to download a high-resolution image
that you can print and display next to your Jar.

Step 3:
Once funds are ready to be collected please do one of the following:

– Email (fundraising@chewstick.org) the Chewstick Fundraising Team and Hannah, Carly or Stephan will collect.
– Transferred to Chewstick’s bank account (please identify where/how the donations were collected)
– Dropped off to funds to SJDWorld (Stephan Johnstone) Somers Building, 15 Front St, Next to Muse, Second Floor, End of Hall, Black Door on the left – 295-7539)

 

Official Donation Jar Locations

Dangelini’s Cafe
Ferry Terminal Building, 8 Front Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

Rock Island Coffee
48 Reid Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

P-Tech
5 Reid Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

iClick
20 Reid Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

Scoops Ice Cream and Cupcake Cafe 
237 Middle Rd, Southampton, Bermuda

1609 Design
Old Cellar Lane, 47 Front Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

DNA Creative Shoppe
129 Front Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

The Book Cellar
5 Water Street, Saint George, Bermuda

Bermuda Bookstore
3 Queen Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

Sail On
Washington Mall, 7 Reid Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

BermyBerry
31 Reid Street (Burnaby Street), Hamilton, Bermuda

Smokin’ Joes Tattoo
63 King Street, Hamilton, Bermuda

A.F. Smith
7 Tumkins Lane, Hamilton, Bermuda

SJDWorld 
(Stephan Johnstone) Somers Building, 15 Front St, Next to Muse, Second Floor, End of Hall, Black Door on the left – 295-7539)

How Can I Help?

• Talk to your friends, family, and coworkers about why Bermuda needs Chewstick. Tell your story about why Chewstick is important to you.

• Consider making a social media post with your story using #BermudaNeedsChewstick , #SupportChewstick and #MyChewStory

• Follow our Facebook Page and share all the posts that we put up to ensure the community knows about what has happened and how to donate.

• We will need volunteers for upcoming events and fundraisers that are still being organized, and a call for help will go out from the Facebook page.

• For now, any money you can spare via one of the above donation links would be greatly appreciated.

Download Banner Kit

If you are interested in adding a Web Banner to your website in support of Chew Feel free to download the Banner Kit on the link below:

Banner Kit:  https://www.chewstick.org/BannerKit.zip

Suggested URL to Link banner: https://www.chewstick.org/culture-hub-fire-relief-fund/

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I've Tried to Reach Out But Haven't Heard Back!

Please bear with us as it will take a while to sort through your phone calls, texts, and emails. It brings us incredible joy to know how well-loved Chewstick is by so many people and how willing people are to lend their support. If you don’t hear back immediately – believe it is because we are planning the next steps and will let everyone know what is next….

A Note of Thanks

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from the community. We wish to thank our families, friends, volunteers, and allies for their support and strength during such a difficult time. We are grateful to the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and the Bermuda Police Service for their brave response to the fire and working to help save as much as possible. We are deeply saddened for the devastating losses sustained by area businesses, who welcomed us in as neighbors and became our friends. We would also like to acknowledge our landlords who are sharing in this devastation, and have shown great support and understanding through this trying time.

How Can I Find Out More?

Please keep checking back on this page for more information, which we will update as we are able to. Forward ever, Chew fam!

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