The Garland Theater Free Showings

In April, our region springs to life with community gatherings and celebrations that bring people together around causes that matter. Throughout the month, Innovia Foundation will invest in free, family-friendly events that educate and build awareness around causes important to local communities, including sparking imagination through science education, inspiring creativity in the arts and building hopeful futures for youth.

“As the community foundation serving Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we depend on the voices of our communities to guide our impact,” says Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation. “This month, we celebrate the importance of that partnership by investing in events that provide the opportunity for children, families and neighbors to discover more about their community and the world around them.”

In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Innovia will partner with Our Kids: Our Business (OKOB), a local coalition that advocates for children, to provide a free family movie day at the recently re-opened historic Garland Theater in Spokane. Free showings will be held on April 21, featuring Despicable Me and Paw Patrol. Families are invited to take a pinwheel home to display, joining with businesses and families around Spokane to symbolize the vital importance of child safety and wellbeing.

“The pinwheel represents the happy, healthy childhood every child in our community deserves,” shares Dena Chappell, a member of OKOB. “By focusing our energy on prevention, communities and individuals, we can protect children and strengthen families by providing opportunities for children to thrive and reach their full potential.”

The Garland Theater

Spokane, WA

Date: Sunday, April 21, 2024

Free showings of Despicable Me will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A free showing of Paw Patrol is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. A free pinwheel will be available for all attendees.

This investment is part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty.

Celebrating Community in 2024

Together with media partner NonStop Local KHQ, Innovia is Celebrating Community, a year-long, region-wide celebration of the volunteers, citizens and organizations that have faithfully served the needs of communities for 50 years in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Each month, Innovia will gift the region with free, inclusive, family-friendly activities and experiences to commemorate the Foundation’s past, present and future of bringing people together to transform lives and communities. Event details will be released at the beginning of each month throughout 2024.

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events

In addition to Innovia-sponsored community events, the Foundation has launched an online calendar where individuals and organizations can submit information about celebrations and activities in their community. The calendar is open to any events within the Foundation’s region that are free or low-cost, family-friendly and have a broad community appeal. Calendar entries can be submitted at innovia.org/fifty.

Photo Drawing

Community members who attend Innovia-sponsored community events this year are invited to submit their photos from the event for a chance to win a photo drawing. Winners will be selected in March, June, September and December to receive a $250 grant to a nonprofit of their choice. Entries can be submitted by posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #innoviacelebratescommunity or by submitting through an online form. Full drawing details and rules, including the online submission form, can be found at innovia.org/fifty.

More information about Innovia Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, 2024 celebrations and history can be found at innovia.org/fifty.