MAJOR STEP FORWARD
For Immediate Release
May 10, 2008



Executive Director, Jim Hawk, announced this morning that an agreement has been reached between the Board of Directors and a major donor. It will enable OutCentral to proceed with the next phase of construction effective immediately.


A $5,000 gift was received last week from a major donor. The gift, however, was designated to provide materials for painting and finishings. This meant that OutCentral would have to wait and raise $2,500 before it could proceed with the final two construction phases. The result would have been a delay of several weeks. After discussions this week, it was agreed that the money could be used for drywall finishing.

According to Hawk, drywall finishing will commence on Monday morning and be completed no later than Friday evening. A soft opening may still be possible by Pride weekend. Hawk said, "It will be difficult, however, we are confident that we will at least be able to open for the weekend and then conclude the rest of construction following the Pride Festival."

"We want to thank every one of our donors and volunteers who have helped us make it this far," announced Hawk. Over 250 people have volunteered or donated so far.

OutCentral still need to raise the $2,500 to complete the construction. This money will now be needed for important materials such as doorknobs, fixtures, and trim. Hawk announced, "We will be unable to gain an occupancy permit until these items are installed." A target date of May 31 was set to raise the necessary money.

Those who have not yet donated to the construction effort may mail their financial contribution to OutCentral, Inc., PO Box 331935, Nashville, TN 37203. Secure online donations can be made by going to www.outcentral.org and clicking on the orange "DONATE NOW!" button.

OutCentral continues to seek volunteers. Service opportunities include painting, installation of doors and doorknobs, plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. A work schedule is provided below for those interested in working to make the soft opening happen. To volunteer, please call OutCentral at 615.294.4834 or email us at volunteer@outcentral.org.

OutCentral is committed to creating a cultural center that welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex individuals and their friends and families into a positive energy-filled environment where organizations can collaborate, where enduring relationships can be created, where there is integration rather than isolation, and where recreation and education flourish.

Dear Reader,

OutCentral is making progress! This past week we announced a collaborative effort with Nashville Pride to hold the first-ever Rainbow Run + Walk on Saturday, May 31, at Centennial Park [See Below]. We hope that you will join us on that day as a runner, walker, or spectator!

As for our facilities, we continue to work on Sundays (1-4 p.m.), at 1709 Church Street. Right now, we are checking to make sure that all of the drywall has been installed properly. If you would like to help, please bring a screwdriver (preferably one that runs on a charger) and help us this week!

We need to raise $2,500 so that we can have the professionals come into the space for mudding and drywall finishing. Have you considered giving $100 of your government economic stimulus check to OutCentral. We only need 25 people to take up this challenge and mail their check to

OutCentral, Inc.
PO Box 331935
Nashville, TN 37203

Your gift will make a difference to the economy and help a great nonprofit organization open its doors.

Did you know...We have the money (through a designated gift) for the last two steps of the construction phase! If we had the $2,500 for drywall finishing, we could open the doors in just about 4 weeks.

We are tabulating the results from our first Program Survey. Thanks to everyone who participated! You will be hearing more in the coming weeks.


Jim Hawk
Executive Director, OutCentral, Inc.
jim@outcentral.org
615.294.4834







Rainbow Run + Walk Announced

The Nashville Pride - OutCentral Fun Run is a 3 mile run, 1 mile walk through the trails in Centennial Park. The 3 mile run will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a 1 mile walk at 9 a.m. All proceeds will benefit Nashville Pride and OutCentral.

The registration fee for each event is $25. Register by May 16 to guarantee shirt size. Online registration will close at 11:59 p.m., on May 28. Click here for online registration.

In announcing the event, organizer Jason Fletcher said, "We are very excited partnering with Nashville Pride to hold our inaugural Rainbow Run + Walk, which we hope will become an annual event to help kick off Pride weekend.  We've planned the event to be a family friendly activity where you, your family and friends can come out to the park for a fun way to kick off your Pride weekend."

Fletcher continued, "We'd like to invite individuals, groups, and teams to join us at the park on Saturday morning to help kick off the pride weekend.  We also encourage those that wish to dress up to come out in their favorite costume.  A small prize will be awarded for our favorite!"

For additional information about the Rainbow Run + Walk, contact Event Organizer, Jason Fletcher, by email at info@outcentral.org or by phone at (615) 584-9305.




The Doors Have Arrived!

Sixteen doors arrived last week and are ready for installation. Once the drywall finishing is complete, a team of volunteers will get to work on the doors. It's exciting to know that the next step of our work is paid for and ready to go. The doors are pre-hung and anyone with experience in hanging doors, that would like to volunteer, should email us at volunteer@outcentral.org and we will let you know when we are ready for your help.


Join Our Calling Circle

The Development Committee is signing up new members in preparation for our Grand Opening. We are holding a BYOP (BRING YOUR OWN PHONE) party Saturday, May 17 (2-4 p.m.) at the old OutLoud Cafe. If you can bring your own phone (with free minutes), we hope you will join us.  Please RSVP by e-mailing Kate@villagerealestate.com or calling Kate at 615-268-0319.


Recycle! Reuse! Donate to OutCentral

OutCentral is looking for some items that you might have around your home or work that are not being used. We are looking for the following:

Bricks (cleaned and ready for laying)
Patio Blocks (for a retaining wall)
Flat Rocks
Bags of Cement and/or Mortar
Metal Benches

If you have any of these items, please contact Jim Hawk by email at jim@outcentral.org or by phone at (615) 294-4834.


Poker Night is Coming Soon!

Mark your calendars now for our next Poker Night scheduled for Friday, May 16 (7-10 p.m.) at the old Cafe OutLoud!
 
We'll have great [non-monetary] prizes, cool snacks, and lots of fun! Everybody is welcome!

If you've never played poker before, we'll have teachers there for you. There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced tables.

We are asking for a $10 donation for each player.

If you would like to help with set-up, hosting, or take-down, please contact us at volunteer@outcentral.org and we will get right back with you.

Please Show Your Appreciation to Our Major Corporate Sponsors