HUMBOLDT— Folks in Humboldt like to keep things up to date. Their latest project is to raise $30,000 to replace a 35-year-old sign at the southeast corner of the downtown square with a digital model that will stream information in eye-catching fashion.
The older one gives messages with hand-placed letters — many are warped — on a lighted Plexiglas background. “It’s just fallen into disrepair,” said Linda Leonard, a GALS member.
Recognizing need, Humboldt’s Chamber of Commerce and GALS FCE joined together to get the ball rolling.
“We have about $3,000 and are starting to contact businesses and others,” said Terry Butts, a GALS member. “With all the other improvements in Humboldt, this is just one more thing that’s needed.”
Fundraising has no timeline, “just whenever we get what we need,” said Butts.
The city has agreed to take possession of the sign once it is in place. Messages will be triggered by touch of a computer in City Hall. The new sign will be four-by-eight feet, and easy to read.
Commercial advertising will be prohibited. Community, club and school events will be welcome, as will information about reunions and such things as that.
“We think it will enhance the schools,” Butts added. “They will be able to put on information about their games and events, and in the case of bad weather they let people know classes are being canceled,” or students excused early in the event of a storm developing after classes take up.
Chris Butts, Humboldt Chamber president, stressed that donations are tax-deductible and should be made to the Allen County Community Foundation, with a notation that the donation is for the Humboldt sign.
Checks may be mailed to the foundation at P.O. Box 831, Iola, KS 66749.
Drive begins for new sign
