Save The Hub! Here's How You Can Help

After it was announced last week that popular youth hangout spot would be , at least one local business owner is trying to find a way to keep its doors open.

Director Dan Stinnett said that Will County recently told him he needed to apply for a special use permit to continue operating in the current location, which is in an industrial area off Schoolhouse Road.

The only problem, though, is that the permit fee is $3,750 and the deadline to apply for it is July 14. For this nonprofit—which struggles to makes ends meet as it is and sometimes even lets kids into concerts for free if they don't have money—that's a tall task.

"I don’t know how feasible it’s going to be," he said. "I don't know if it'll be beyond the range of what we’re able to afford or if any people from the community are going to step up and help out."

At least one local business is interested in doing just that. Movies in Motion, which provides large inflatable movie/video game screens for parties, offered up its equipment for a fundraiser event but is looking for community support to find a location and promote the event.

"I love Dan," Movies in Motion owner Debbie Ryan said. "He comes over here and talks to my boys. They go out (to The Hub), they play in the band. I have screens, so if I have an organizer, will give 100 percent back to Dan."

Ryan suggested $5 per person for such an event, and there would be additional revenue for The Hub through concessions sales.

Interested in helping? Contact Debbie Ryan with Movies in Motion at 815-462-6666 or debbie@moviesinmotion.biz. To make a donation to The Hub, go to www.lwhub.org or call Stinnett at 815-717-8002.