Fundraising Efforts Underway In Support Of Tulsa's Admiral Twin Drive-In

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- There's an outpouring of support for Tulsa's historic drive-in, destroyed by fire. 

The Admiral Twin Drive-In went up in flames Friday, leaving many Tulsans shocked and heartbroken.

Investigators still aren't sure what sparked the fire. But, the drive-in is so important to so many people, they're willing to do whatever it takes to bring it back.

9/4/2010  Related Story: Groundswell Builds To 'Save The Admiral Twin'

Before the ashes had even cooled, there was already a grassroots effort to bring the Admiral Twin back. It will take a lot of money. The owner estimates more than $300,000, but that's not slowing down supporters. They believe the drive-in's value to Tulsa is priceless.

Evidence that the Admiral Twin was more than just a movie theater was on display Sunday. People streamed in to look at the charred remains, and make donations.

"They need to get it back, they really do. It's just not going to be right without the Admiral Twin. It's not going to be Tulsa," said Pat Mercer, who is a Tulsa resident.

Bigfoot Prints is trying to get that done by selling T-shirts for $10. They come in all colors, and the proceeds go towards rebuilding the drive-in. The makers are having a tough time keeping up with demand. They say the shirts are selling faster than they can make them.

People have bought about 1,000 so far, and the goal is to sell 12,000.

"I think we had an e-mail from Shanghai China, someone saying they wanted a shirt as well, so it spans generations and a lot of distance," said Michael Moreno, of Bigfoot Prints.

"It was watching my past burn, a part of my childhood being burned, being burned up into the sky," said Chuk Cooley, who is a musician.

Cooley says he's been going to the Admiral Twin for decades, but had taken the drive-in for granted. When he heard about the fire though, he immediately began organizing a benefit concert. Within 24 hours, 72 bands contacted him about playing. 

Cooley says that response shows just how badly Tulsans want the Admiral Twin back.

"If they're willing to move forward, I think Tulsa is willing to help them move forward. We're going to make it happen. No, we're going to make it happen," said Cooley.

If you would like to buy a T-shirt, you can call Bigfoot Prints at (918) 805-0543.

Tickets for the benefit show will not be available before October 10th. If you want one, you'll have to get one at the door at the Rose Bowl Event Center.

Other ways to help:

• Donate to a PayPal account set up on the company's web site, SelectCinemas.com.
• Mail donations to Select Cinemas, P.O. Box 1165, Jenks, OK, 74037.
• Donate at Security Bank, East 51st Street and Highway 169.

There's also a Facebook page devoted to saving the Admiral Twin.