People's Light Raises Over $30,000 for Local Charities During CINDERELLA

People's Light & Theatre has announced that it galvanized audiences to contribute $31,511.05 this holiday season for local and national charities. The funds were collected from audience members during performances of Cinderella: A Musical Panto and will be divided equally between three organizations. The organizations include: Chester County Futures ($10,503.69), Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA ($10,503.68), and the regional chapter of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief ($10,503.68).

Artistic Director & CEO Abigail Adams states, "Each holiday season our audiences donate generously to organizations in our region that help transform the lives of thousands of people. We are proud to support the efforts of these incredible institutions."

Chester County Futures offers students of limited financial means the skills, resources and experience needed to graduate high school, succeed in college - and in life. The programs reach over five hundred (500) young people in grades six - twelve, in the five area school districts of Coatesville Area, Kennett Consolidated, Oxford Area, Phoenixville Area and West Chester Area. Once a student completes the program and enters post-secondary school they are eligible to receive up to $6,000 in post-secondary scholarship funds.

After-school academic enrichment classes and learning opportunities focus on improving life skills, attaining scholastic success and thriving through adolescent development. Visit ccfutures.org for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is a donor and volunteer-supported organization that enriches, encourages and empowers children to reach their highest potential through safe, one-to-one mentoring relationships. Volunteering as a Big Brother or Big Sister is about making a measurable difference in a child's life by sharing new perspectives and experiences; in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, nearly 3,000 children annually are more successful socially and academically because of the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA. Learn more at 215.790.9200 or visit www.bbbssepa.org.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org and redcrossphilly.org and follow us on Twitter at @RedCross and @redcrossphilly.

"The American Red Cross relies solely on the generosity of the public to do the work it does, both here and abroad. This donation by People's Light and its audience will help alleviate the suffering of thousands of people and the Red Cross is eternally grateful." - American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes.

People's Light & Theatre continues to be deeply committed to meaningful community engagement year-round as well. Our highly-regarded Gift of Theatre program allows donors the opportunity to designate a charity of their choice to which the Theatre will offer available tickets for their constituents during the year. A few examples of organizations that have benefited from this program are Action Aids, Family Service of Chester County, Home of the Sparrow, and Chester County Fund for Women & Girls.

To find out more about the Gift of Theatre program, contact Megan Lea at 610-647-1900, ext. 133.

ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIGHT: People's Light, a professional, not-for-profit theatre founded in Chester County, Pennsylvania, makes plays drawn from many sources to entertain, inspire, and engage our community. We extend our mission of making and experiencing theatre through arts education programs that excite curiosity about, and deepen understanding of, the world around us. These plays and programs bring people together and provide opportunities for reflection, discovery, and celebration. Founded in 1974, we produce seven to nine plays each season, in two black box theatres with 350 and 170 seats respectively, mixing world premieres, contemporary plays, and fresh approaches to classic texts for our 7-play and Discovery Series.

Pictured: (standing) Victoria Genuardi, American Red Cross; Maria McDonald, Chester County Futures; Jody Romano, Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA; (sitting) Marcie Bramucci, Abigail Adams and Jane Moss, Courtesy People's Light & Theatre.

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