Community centre receives $19,000 donation from Richard Pryor

A central Illinois community centre where Richard Pryor made his first performance as a child has received $19,000 from the late comedian.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reported that the George Washington Carver Community Centre in Peoria is getting the money from the state’s unclaimed cash programme. The comedian had donated $100,000 to the facility and the leftover amount somehow was left to languish in a bank account that was turned over to the state treasurer’s office in 1991.

Pryor died in 2005. It’s not clear when the original donation was made.

The centre’s board president, Ken Hinton, says the funds will support summer youth programmes.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs urged other not-for-profit groups, individuals and companies to check the www.icash.illinois.gov for other outstanding sums.