Help save the historic Comet Theater and help the Horners

My name is Angela Page. I live in West Virginia but spend a lot of time in Northern Minnesota volunteering at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary (does business as American Bear Association) and a member of the Board of Directors. Our good friends Ryan and Steph Horner, are manager and director at the Sanctuary, a year ago they purchased the Comet Theater in Cook, Minnesota and have worked diligently to bring new life to it while also bringing more awareness to ABA and Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary to the Cook, Lake Vermillion area. . The Comet Theater is historic as it is the longest continuously running movie theater in Minnesota. Since 1939!

The board of directors and I are asking for your consideration to help save this small-town historic movie theater. In the afternoon of June 19, 2024, after heavy rain of 6+ inches, the Little Fork River that flows through the town of Cook began to overflow its banks and overtake the town. Flooding is not normal in the town of Cook, so this was unexpected and devastating. Because this is not normal most businesses and homes do not have flood insurance, so the future of this business is in jeopardy.

The water has gotten to about 5-6 ft in the theater section of the building. We ask for your prayers for reducing flood waters and safety for all the community. Please pray for strength and guidance over the upcoming weeks and months. God is in control, and we will rely on His guidance.

Now our friends are faced with the tasks and expenses of overcoming this devastating flood. This is also their busy time of year. The time where the business makes the money to get them through the lean months. Fortunately, and true to the spirit of volunteering many of our staff and volunteers have stepped up to help during their off hours and were able to save almost all their merchandise. However, the damage is real, expenses will be overwhelming, the workload daunting. Since Ryan and Steph never ask for help for themselves, we are asking people to generously donate what you can. They have such huge hearts and they are usually the ones helping others. But today they are devastated and need your help. We humbly ask for your consideration to donate towards funds to help with repairs/restoration and cleaning supplies.

This is the Horner’s first business venture and they love being apart of the local community. Please consider donating to help! Anyone living locally in Cook/Orr wanting to bring monetary donations, cleaning supplies, buckets, shovels, rubber gloves, drinking water etc can be dropped off at the Vince Shute Visitors Center at 4303 Highway 53 in Orr.

Funds will be used for:

Cleaning supplies

Repair and restore building, equipment in order to return to business.

Help pay bills as this is their busy season and they may be without revenue for weeks.

Thank you in advance from the ABA Board and myself for your consideration! Angela Page, Treasurer Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary.