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  • Asheboro Mayor David Smith, left, and City Manager John Ogburn, middle, speak with Bedford Cannon of the Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation following a reception last week to pay tribute to the philanthropic group. Larry Penkava/The Randolph Guide

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September 4, 2010

‘Challenge’ gift issued for theater

Larry Penkava Staff Writer

ASHEBORO — Civic leaders of Asheboro paid tribute last week to a philanthropic group with local roots.

Supporters of a fund-raising campaign to restore the Sunset Theatre into a performing arts center honored the Edward M. Armfield Sr. Foundation, represented by Bedford Cannon, who grew up here and played football for Asheboro High School. A reception was held inside the theatre.

Cannon said his grandfather, W.J. Armfield, came to Asheboro when the population was about 500 and established the Bank of Randolph. Armfield was also a founder of Acme-McCrary Corp.

His son and Cannon’s uncle, Edward M. Armfield, grew up in Asheboro and later owned textile mills, primarily in Surry County.

Cannon said Edward Armfield was looking for a way to pay back the communities “that had been very kind” to his family. That payback eventually came in the form of the Edward M. Armfield Foundation, which has a mission of donating to worthy causes in Randolph, Guilford and Surry counties.

Some of those causes include generous donations to Randolph Hospital and the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA in Asheboro, Guilford College in Greensboro and need-based scholarships in Surry County.

For the Sunset Theatre renovation campaign, the Foundation proposed a $500,000 challenge gift, which requires a matching $500,000. The capital campaign, which goes by the moniker “Asheboro’s Next Act,” has raised $800,000 toward a goal of $1.2 million.

David Jarrell, former mayor and campaign co-chair with Ann and Bill Hoover, said the fund-raiser had hit a plateau and “needed a stimulus” when the Armfield offer was announced. “We’re working hard to bring this together,” he said. “I can’t wait to see what this is going to be.”

Jarrell said plans call for the Sunset Theatre to become the “crown jewel of Asheboro,” and a “small performing arts center.” He called the campaign committee “an excellent group working together.”

Bill Hoover expressed appreciation to the Foundation for its gift. “Asheboro is so fortunate to have the support of the Armfield Foundation,” he said.

Cannon said he could remember the first Elvis movie that played at the Sunset.

“I grew up seeing a lot of great movies here,” he said, adding that “we’re just giving back and we hope to continue that. I think the money you’ve raised here is amazing. There’s so much civic participation.

“It’s so nice, especially in tough times, to help out. We hope to do more things.”

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