One day of popcorn and movie escapism turned into a nice check for $30,800 to charities helping the recovery from the Sept. 11 attacks.

The George Kerasotes Corporation, otherwise known as GKC Theaters, participated in Tuesday’s event, along with more than 270 theater owners nationally. Locally, Market Square Cinemas, located at 2160 Sycamore Road and owned by GKC, participated in the fundraising.

The check consists of all box office and ticket sales from Tuesday. James Whitman, GKC director of marketing, said now the money will be given to the American Red Cross and the Sept. 11, 2001 fund of the United Way.

“The remarkable thing is that it was a 50 percent increase from our Monday to Tuesday gross,” Whitman said.

And while receipts fluctuate based on the movie-showing popularity, Whitman called the jump an “outstanding” percentage.

“It was obvious that people responded and wanted to view the movies to give the money to charity,” he said.

GKC, based in Springfield, Ill., owns 32 theaters located throughout Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.