Fender’s River Road Resort in Needles, California, recently launched a fundraising campaign to restore the neon lighting of its classic sign.
Fender’s, which proclaims itself the only motel on the Colorado River and Route 66 in Needles, has set donation levels of $25, $100, $250 or $500.
Prizes for a donation range from an old-style, motel-room key fob to a two-night stay at the motel. Contributors also will be recognized on Fender’s website.
From a news release by the motel:
“We need about $2,000 to relight the sign and about twice that to do the preferred full restoration,” said Fenders’ resort manager, Rosie Ramos. “Since launching the campaign in the first week of January 2018, we have already raised over $500 in donations and through merchandise sales at the resort office. The worldwide Route 66 community is such an amazing group of caring people.”
Also, fillmmaker KC Keefer, who has produced several Route 66-related videos, pledged to give all proceeds of sales of his “The California Promise” DVD for the Fender’s River Road Resort neon-sign campaign.
In the news release, Keefer also said the campaign also has received offers of volunteer labor for the effort.
Legacy Signs and Iron in Kingman, Arizona, will perform the restoration.
Fender’s,which dates to the 1960s, sits on a section of highway that was once was part of the 1912 National Old Trails Road that linked Baltimore to Los Angeles.
(Image of Fender’s River Resort sign in Needles, California, via the motel)
I don’t understand why an ongoing business has the nerve to ask for contributions to fix its sign! I don’t understand why the Route 66 community has any time or money for a business that certainly could help itself. A restored sign will be a draw and will improve business. The amounts mentioned here hardly are daunting.
You don’t have to contribute, Jerry. Nothing is stopping you from doing nothing.
I concur with you, Jerry, and don’t understand why they ask for free money for their business. Of course, you don’t have to contribute but I think your post was applicable and I’m glad you made it. Hopefully you won’t feel bullied by comments and will continue to share you opinions as others do theirs.
Why are they not applying for a 2018 MPS grant? Many neon signs have cost a lot more to be restored and have benefited from these grants. They are cost-share which means they are still responsible for half the required money. But it would lessen what they are trying to raise. Granted I am in a 66 state with a very active Neon Heritage Preservation Committee, But the grants are open to anyone on Route 66. Isn’t there anyone in California who can help them with the paperwork when the grant cycle opens if they can’t muddle thru it themselves?