Published: January 03, 2007 08:47 am      

Foundation launches seat campaign

CLINTON — The Clinton School District Education Foundation has announced the “Purchase a Seat” campaign for the Vernon Cook Little Theater at Clinton High School.

With a renovation announcement at the 2006 fall musical “Into the Woods,” the foundation began the “Purchase a Seat” investment opportunity. This initiative is in conjunction with the ceiling tile and diffuser replacement, for which the foundation was awarded a $42,456 Clinton County Community Development Association grant.

Four hundred forty-one seats in the theater’s lower bowl will be replaced. The foundation also is submitting other grant proposals and seeking additional funding to complete related updates to include rigging, sound and lighting systems and curtains.

All investment contributions made to the CCSD Foundation are tax deductible, under the foundation’s 501(c)(3) status.

Seats can be purchased as a memorial or in honor of a child’s accomplishments, or in honor of a former student or teacher. A recognition plaque will be displayed, listing all donors and any special designations.

Foundation officials encourage donors to check to see if their employer has a donation matching program.

The Vernon C. Cook Little Theater at Clinton High School was built in 1970. Everything to be renovated is original to the theater. In 2005-2006, nearly 70 separate entities held productions or events at the theater. This includes many non-district organizations that depend on the facility when scheduling their functions.

The CCSD Education Foundation’s mission is “to assist the on-going development and success of the Clinton Community School District students and personnel through the enhancement of academics, arts and athletics initiatives.”

The vision is to “provide contributors the opportunity to help students and personnel achieve dreams and leave legacies.” The foundation joined the National School Foundation Association.

For more information, visit www.clinton.k12.ia.us/foundation. Online donations are now possible with give2schools through NSFA.

The foundation can be reached at 243-9600, ext. 37, or by e-mail at foundation@clintonia.org.