​UNION BANK TAKES OCEANSIDE THEATRE COMPANY CAMPAIGN GOAL OVER THE TOP WITH $5,000 GRANT

The MUFG Union Bank Foundation, through its Corporate Social Responsibility Program, recently awarded $5,000 to support the mission of The Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) and the ‘OTC First Responder’ campaign which was launched immediately after the COVID-19 shutdown to bridge an immediate funding gap.

"We are grateful to Union Bank for supporting the programs of OTC with this generous grant toward operating support, especially in this time of uncertainty." said OTC President John McCoy. “We need the arts now more than ever to help us weather this storm.”

OTC, the resident professional theater company at the Historic Brooks Theater in downtown Oceanside, had just opened its musical Sweet Charity when the production was shut down after only three shows due to the COVID-19 crisis. OTC leadership and community supporters immediately launched the “OTC First Responder” campaign to bridge the financial gap created by the shutdown. Union Bank’s gift helped the volunteer-run arts organization exceed its immediate campaign goal of $16,000.

Oceanside, CA was recently designated as one of only 14 inaugural Cultural Districts by the California Arts Council, highlighting the thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identities within local communities across California. Oceanside Theater Company and the Brooks Theater are at the epicenter of the new Oceanside California Cultural District (OCCD) and the only professional performing arts nonprofit that also serves as a venue for other cultural organizations. The current crisis has hit hard many of these arts organizations, especially those who rely on live performances for income.

“Arts and culture have proven to be a key element to the amazing quality of life we enjoy in Oceanside. The programming offered by our arts community provides a positive impact on the local economy and is a boon to our small businesses,” said Scott Ashton, CEO of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. “With the recent designation of Oceanside as one of California's 14 cultural districts, we have great momentum that can be leveraged for economic recovery and growth. Now more than ever, we need to support the non-profits that have been so instrumental in making Oceanside known as a hub for arts and culture,” he added.

“It’s essential that the arts and cultural groups that helped make the Oceanside Cultural District designation a reality, not only survive this crisis, but thrive,” said Leann Garms, OTC Board Member and a member of the OCCD Steering Committee. “The gift from Union Bank is a good start to making that happen."

To find out more about how to support OTC: www.oceansidetheatre.org. To learn more about MUFG Union Bank Corporate Social Responsibility programs see: https://www.unionbank.com/about-us/social-responsibility

ABOUT OCEANSIDE THEATRE COMPANY AT THE BROOKS
Oceanside Theatre Company is the professional production company in residence at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater in downtown Oceanside, California and sits at the epicenter of the new Oceanside Cultural District. When COVID-19 caused a shutdown of the musical, Sweet Charity, and future live performances for the foreseeable future, OTC quickly sought ways to continue to fulfill the mission of providing performing and visual arts to its North San Diego County. The arts and theater communities have come together to provide ongoing virtual entertainment that benefits the theatre as well as the actors and artists, and provides much needed cultural entertainment as the community deals with the effects of the pandemic.