Friends of NOTO

The NOTO Arts and Entertainment District is pleased to announce donations from two area businesses that will be used to fund enhancements for the Pavilion in Redbud Park. The Walmart Community Grants and the North Topeka Walmart #5441 awarded $500 for the purchase of a television to be installed in the Pavilion. The following day, Topeka Electric Motor announced it would match the gift for the purchase of a second television. 

"When building Redbud Park, the Pavilion was wired for two wall-mounted televisions," said Thomas Underwood, Executive Director. "Unfortunately we did not have the funds at that time to purchase and install them. As we have being offering more and more activities this spring, the value of having of the televisions is apparent.

Shopping at the North Topeka Walmart, Underwood said he asked an assistant manager about donations, and was then directed to the Walmart Community Foundation web page. Within a couple of weeks he was notified of the award.

 "The donation was enough to purchase one television, but we needed two, so I reached out to our Friends of NOTO, individuals and businesses who are members of the NOTO organization announcing the gift and asking for a match." Less than an hour later, Stan Martindell, owner of Topeka Electric Motor Repair, contacted Underwood offering the match. "The NOTO Arts and Entertainment District is one of the best things to happen in Topeka. I'm proud to support it" said Martindell.

 "I was pleasantly surprised with both donations. The grant application for Walmart was incredibly simple and the staff have been very accommodating. And then to get a response from one of our Friends of NOTO in less than an hour of making the ask was fantastic," said Underwood. "We are so appreciative of both companies for supporting NOTO and making the Redbud Park Pavilion a more complete experience for visitors."