Shopping on the Internet will now help raise renovation funds for the historic 1910 Ohio Theatre.

The Loudonville Theatre Advisory Committee, in conjunction with planning the first of several benefits to restore the aging 1910 Theatre located at 156 N. Water Street in Loudonville, has secured a "shopping village" on www.4mycommunity.com.

The web site 4mycommunity.com is dedicated to fundraising efforts for schools, churches and other community projects across America. The web site, which was created in the summer of 1999, hosts the most popular e-commerce sites on the Internet, who in turn, donate on the average 7% of their sales to qualified charitable organizations. The Ohio Theatre is now listed on the site, and on-line shoppers who connect with the Ohio Theatre listing, will help raise funds for the project.

The procedures to connect with the Ohio Theatre Restoration project, are relatively simple. Go to www.4mycommunity.com, and type in the Loudonville zip code - 44842. Click on "other community organizations," which will bring up "Ohio Theatre Restoration." Click on that listing and continue to shop and browse through more than 70 merchants. If 30 new people visit the site, the restoration project will receive an additional $100.

4mycommunity.com Community Relations Manager, Marliss Prasse, states "We are so pleased that your organization has developed a shopping village for your theatre restoration project. We have a wonderful program that would allow you to raise additional funds for your group, without spending any extra time or money."

The fund raising efforts have begun in conjunction with a kickoff benefit event to be held at the Ohio Theatre on August 26.

The event will be sponsored by the Loudonville Theatre Advisory Committee, and is currently in the planning stages.

The goal for the first event is to raise funds to help cover costs to re-wire the building's electrical systems in addition to adding a new sound system for movies.

Events will continue as the theatre undergoes a major facelift to restore the venue for live performances and other civic events.

Mayor Betty Welsh reports that the fire escape doors and exits have been installed. Structural repairs to the stage have now been completed as well, which will allow live performances to return to the famous venue.