[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h4″ accent=”false”]Creating a legacy to support students in the Arts
in honor of Raymond Burr (best known as “Perry Mason”)
[/x_custom_headline][x_custom_headline level=”h6″ accent=”false”]presented by
The RAYMOND BURR PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY (“RBPAS”),
The Douglas College Foundation and THE BURR 100 COMMITTEE.
[/x_custom_headline][cs_text][Media Release issued March 24th, 2017]
The DOUGLAS COLLEGE FOUNDATION and the “BURR 100” Committee are pleased to announce the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the notable Raymond Stacey Burr who was born May 21, 1917 in New Westminster, BC. Raymond is best known for his television series “Perry Mason” which ran from 1957-66 and is still being shown on networks to this day. Burr followed up with another series called “IRONSIDE”, about a disabled, wheelchair bound Police Officer. A Universal Studios production, also a partner in BURR 100, it ran from 1967-75.
Thanks to the commitment of family members, the Raymond Burr Estate and the Raymond Burr Performing Arts Society (RBPAS), the 100th anniversary celebrations will include raising awareness for what Raymond was passionate about – Theatre Arts. With that, RBPAS in partnership with the Douglas College Foundation, will create an endowment in honor of Raymond and recognize him for his significant contributions to theatre, film and TV. Establishing a legacy endowment will provide funding to Theatre Arts Students at Douglas College for generations to come honoring the talent and inspiration of the past with our own local celebrity, Raymond Burr. There is currently an annual award named in honor of Burr at the College, the “Raymond Burr Performing Arts Society 2nd Year Entrance Award of Distinction” and the College has recently announced Michael Jenkins as the 2017 recipient, with the award now in its 7th year. The RBPAS has generously committed $5,000 to this new endowment effort and we are seeking the support of the community to raise $25,000 to endow this award either by direct donations to RBPAS or a $100, with a tax receipt provided for the portion over and above the cost to attend, allowing participating in the 100th Anniversary events May 16th and 17th in New Westminster.
Raymond himself was incredibly generous and was the spokesperson for The Royal Columbia Hospital Foundations Annual Giving Campaign in 1988. Raymond committed his life to entertaining and serving others. His partner, 86 year-old Robert Benevides, as the Burr 100 Honorary Committee Chair shared the following regarding the endowment:
“I soundly applaud your concerted efforts on behalf of Raymond’s 100th birthday.
Your connection with Douglas College is exactly what Raymond would have done
were he still with us.” RB
The community is invited to celebrate the lifetime achievements of Burr with two special nights. Tickets are $100.00 each with charitable receipts provided for the appropriate portion, for the BURR 100 RED CARPET ALL-ACCESS PASS that grants access to both nights – the reception and the screening with all proceeds going to the Raymond Burr Endowment in support of Theatre Arts students at Douglas College The reception to be hosted in the Douglas Room at the New West College Campus on Tuesday, May 16th commencing at 5:30 pm/ Guests will include: Society members, the 2017 award recipient and influential members of the theatre community.
The second evening Wednesday, May 17th, is for a screening of the iconic film “Rear Window” by Academy Award Nominated Director, Alfred Hitchcock, starring Raymond Burr, Grace Kelly and James Stewart. The screening will be held at 6:30 pm at Landmark Cinemas, who are a sponsor of this event. Donations can also be made online at raymondburr.blogspot.com.
DONATE: donateburr100@gmail.com[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]
