The Tom Peterson Memorial Foundation took a final bow. A post today on social media says the board of directors agreed to end operations and make one final contribution to the Sioux City Community Theatre.
The foundation honored the memory of the popular KCAU weather anchor and General Manager of the Community Theatre who died in a car accident in 1994.
In 26-years the foundation granted more than $200,000 to support the community theature.
With the impact of COVID-19 the theatre the board thought the timing was right to give a final gift of $22,000.
The foundation opened the Tom Peterson Black Box Theatre as a second performance venture at the Community Theatre. The 50-seat space was paid for by the foundation and showcases smaller-scale productions.
Siouxland Public Media was there on opening day on March 28, 2019. You can find a special report here.
Social Media Message from The Tom Peterson Memorial Foundation:
It's time for us to take a final bow:
The Tom Peterson Memorial Foundation board of directors has agreed to end operations and make one final contribution to the organization it has supported over the last 26 years, the Sioux City Community Theatre.
The non-profit organization was founded in 1994 after the accidental death of well-known KCAU weather anchor and SCCT General Manager, Tom Peterson.
"Tom loved the theater so much – he wanted it to prosper with or without him,” said Tom’s sister and founding president of the Foundation, Robbie Peterson Adelman. "I feel fortunate that I was able to join with so many Sioux City folks who had that same vision over the years. The Tom Peterson Memorial Foundation board gave me that opportunity, and for that I am thankful.”
The foundation was started by Tom’s sisters, his close friends and supporters of the theater who hoped to keep his legacy alive by funding special projects at SCCT.
During its 26 year history, the foundation has granted well over $200,000 in support to SCCT. For many years the foundation hosted annual “Tom Peterson Memorial Festivals” at SCCT to raise funds. The annual festivals featured performers such as “The Second City,” “Tonic Sol-Fa” and many more.
“Covid-19 has been devastating to organizations like Sioux City Community Theatre. We felt the timing was right to bring our role to a close and make a final gift to SCCT that would support their operations while their stage is dark. This gift should go a long way in keeping SCCT operating until it is safe for them to return,” said foundation president, David Washburn. “Tom’s sisters, Robbie and Carolyn, have been very passionate about preserving Tom’s legacy and sharing his love of SCCT. We feel confident that our organization’s efforts over the years will keep that legacy alive well into the future.”
“To those of you in Sioux City who have good memories of Tom as we do, now is the time to support the theater,” said Tom’s sister, Carolyn Carpenter. "Watch for season tickets to go on sale! Don’t miss a show! Tell your friends and neighbors about shows you have enjoyed! Tom was all about SCCT and it will live on. The foundation has worked to keep it vibrant for 26 years and we hope theater folks will join us. Tom would be pleased.”
This final grant to SCCT was approximately $22,000 and represented the final amount of funds available from the foundation.
SCCT Board President Rick Myers added that the theatre has been very appreciative of the foundation’s support over the last three decades saying, "The Sioux City Community Theatre would like to thank the Tom Peterson Foundation and its board members, both past and present for all of their work and efforts to help keep theatre strong in Tom's memory."
“We know that the future will continue to be challenging for performing arts organizations like SCCT,” said Washburn. "The foundation asks that everyone who can help support the Sioux City Community Theatre make a donation to the theater and buy season tickets when they come back. Help us keep SCCT operating. We feel that would be the best way at this time to honor Tom."
In 2018, the foundation cut the ribbon on the Tom Peterson Black Box Theatre inside of SCCT as a second performance venue. The 50 seat space allows for smaller-scale productions, as well as additional classroom/meeting/event space. The foundation paid for 100 percent of the project’s construction.
