The Palace Cultural Arts Association (PCAA), better known to the community as the Marion Palace Theatre, is reaching out to central Ohio with two special challenges during their annual membership drive.
Palace Executive Director Bev Ford invites everyone to “DISCOVER: The Joy of Belonging.”
“Each year the staff comes up with a season brand. For 2013-14, we’re encouraging everyone to discover or rediscover all the Palace has to offer, and that all begins with discovering the joy of belonging to the Palace as a member.”
Donations to the PCAA are tax deductible and several levels of giving are available. All members receive benefits including early access to tickets, discounts at area restaurants, movie and popcorn passes.
Higher levels of giving come with increased benefits such as access to meet and greet receptions with performers, first choice seating, and one free use of the Scharer Patron Lounge.
Additionally, Ford encourages everyone to maximize their contributions.
“Last year Brad Bebout and the Marion Community Foundation helped us bolster our membership income. When we approached them again this year, they were eager to help us once again.”
The Wopat Community Fund of the Marion Community Foundation will match all new memberships or increases by current members (up to $100 per member) to a maximum combined match of $10,000.
“The generous support of the Marion Community Foundation’s Wopat Community Fund is a great way to make the most of your contribution, Ford continued.
“If someone has thought about making a contribution in the past but just not gotten around to writing that check, this would be a great year to do it; $25 becomes $50, $50 becomes $100 and $100 becomes a $200 contribution thanks to the matching fund challenge.”
Brad Bebout, President of Marion Community Foundation, said of the challenge, “This matching grant is an opportunity for the entire community. Marion Community Foundation is pleased to help residents become more involved in philanthropy by making their resources go further through this type of matching fund. At the same time, we’re able to provide needed support for the Palace Theatre, a community treasure.”
It takes a great deal of funding to keep a historic theatre running; especially one as active as the Palace. Each year the theatre offers a variety of live performances along with films and summer theatre camp opportunities for children. Nearly every weekend patrons can find something to enjoy at the Marion Palace Theatre and thousands benefit from what the Palace offers throughout the year.
Ford continued, “If one in every four people who visited the theatre for any type of event — a movie, a play or a live performance or theatre camp — last year contributed just $25 to the annual membership drive we could raise in excess of $456,000. And if enough of those contributions were new or increased, we would receive an additional $10,000 from the Wopat Community Fund at the Marion Community Foundation.”
Those wishing to become a member of the Palace for the 2013-2014 season may do so by contacting the Marion Palace Theatre by phone at 740/383-2101 or visiting the box office at 270 W. Center St. in downtown Marion. Box office hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and closed Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Information may also be found online at www.marionpalace.org.
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