About the Friends

Campaign Facts

Earl Smith Challenge

Seat Campaign

Brick Fundraiser

GOAL
$4.5 Million

$3,200,000 has been pledged to the Friends of the Strand

The Friends of the strand need to raise a total of $4.5 Million, $3.75 million for construction, furnishings, and equipment and $750,000 for the endowment of future operations.

The Earl Smith Tribute Challenge

Help thank Earl Smith for his devotion to our community

EARL E. SMITH (read his bio) has been diligently working backstage for a long time. Thanks to his tireless, unselfish dedication to the Cobb and Marietta communities, he has greatly enhanced the lives of many people.

A group of his friends feel its time he receives the star billing he so richly deserves, and propose lighting the marquee of the 1935 Art Deco Strand Theatre in tribute to him as the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, but can only do it with your help.

To reserve the $1 million naming rights, Otis Brumby, directors from the Bank of North Georgia, Cobb Energy, Pam & Roger DeBoy, Rachel Smith of E. Smith Heating & Air, Kessel Stelling, John Williams (read a letter from John Williams), and Sen. Johnny Isakson donated $500,000 to the nonprofit Friends of The Strand, and are asking for your help to raise the other $500,000 to include Earl Smith’s namesake on the marquee.

Now it’s your turn to show Earl Smith how much he is loved and appreciated with a tax deductible donation toward the theatre’s naming rights. All donations will be listed in the theatre’s literature and website and contributions above $10,000 will be displayed in the Earl Smith Strand Theatre’s lobby:

Earl Smith Strand Theatre Naming Donors
Friends of Earl Smith Gold Star
$50,000+
Friends of Earl Smith Silver Star
$25,000-$49,999
Friends of Earl Smith Bronze Star
$10,000-$24,999

Make a Donation/Pledge

To make a pledge or tax deductible donation, please mail in a check or the printable Earl Smith Strand Theatre Naming Rights pledge card or credit card form to Friends of The Strand, PO Box 4186, Marietta, GA 30061 or call 678-569-1321 to make a donation over the phone.

Friends of Earl Smith Original Naming Rights Donors - $500,000
Otis Brumby
Directors from the Bank of North Georgia
Cobb Energy
Roger & Pam DeBoy
E. Smith Heating & Air – Rachel Smith
Sen. Johnny Isakson
Kessel Stelling
John A. Williams

Friends of Earl Smith Host Committee
Barbara Williams, Chair
Michele Swann, Vice Chair
Don Beaver
Debbie Butler
Terry Chandler
Liz Cole
Carole Kell
Mark Kent
Michael Knowles
Tom McCleskey
Michael Paris
Elizabeth Weaver
John and Janel Wiles

Friends of Earl Smith Honorary Committee
Bob Ash
Dwight Brown
Otis Brumby
Tom & Peggy Cannon
David Connell
Roger & Pam DeBoy
Steve Dougherty
Travis Duke
Mayor Bill Dunaway
Rob Garcia
David Hankerson
Doug Haynie
Bob Hightower
Sen. Johnny Isakson
Livvy Kazer Lipson
Faye Miller
Frank Moore
John Moore
Chairman Sam Olens
Dan Papp
Bill Pinto
Bill Poston
Jim Rhoden
Dr. Lisa Rossbacher
Fred Sanderson
Rachel Smith
Judge Mary Staley
Kessel Stelling
David Swales
Larry Thompson
Snyder Turner
Commissioner Stan Wise
John Williams

Friends of the Strand, Inc. • PO Box 4186 • Marietta, GA 30061• Office: 678-569-1321