Raue Center Receives MCCF Grant For Veterans Program

Raue Center For The Arts is proud to announce it has received a grant from the Community Foundation for McHenry County (MCCF) to support its Veterans Program, which aims to embrace, engage and encourage the local veteran community through the power of the arts.

"MCCF has been a steadfast supporter of Raue Center and our programs over the years and we are thrilled to have their support for the Veterans Program, a program launched by a vet for other vets" says Executive Director, Richard Kuranda. "This grant will make a real and measurable impact on those in our community who have given their service to protect our nation."

Since 2001, MCCF, an affiliate of The Chicago Community Trust, has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to create a better quality of life throughout McHenry County. In FY 2018, MCCF, together with its donors, granted more than $2.2 million to nonprofit organizations: protecting the human services safety net for those hit hardest by the economy, developing new audiences to sustain our county's arts and education organizations and improving conditions for healthy and active lifestyles.

As Raue Center strives to engage the local community, it would like to extend a special thank you to veterans and provide a special offer to those who have sacrificed for their country. Many veterans return to a completely different "every day" and the adjustment can be extremely difficult. As the leading performing arts center in McHenry County, Raue Center aims to support local veterans and ensure they are a celebrated part of the local community.

"Having served in the Navy on the East Coast, my wife and I had the opportunity to live in several states. These were exciting times and we would get to know the local community, searching for activities to do in our off time," says Raue Center Board Vice President, John Jacobsen. "One of our favorite things to do was attend theatre performances. Raue Center's Veterans Program grew out of our positive experiences during that time."

Raue Center's Veterans Program provides local veterans opportunities to enjoy live music, comedy and professional theatre. For more information about program and ticket availability, visit rauecenter.org.

"The program is designed to provide a social outlet to members of the military who dedicated their time and talent to serve this great country. Our hope is to lift mind, body and spirit through live theatre," says Jacobsen. "As Dr. Glen D. Willson shared at a Gresham College lecture, 'Theatre is one of the higher cultural activities that marks us as imaginative, creative and truly human.' Raue Center can provide this through comedy, drama, dance and music," continues Jacobsen. "So, if you are a vet or know a vet, please take the opportunity to take advantage of this wonderful program."

Veterans may register with Raue Center by sending their name, contact information and a copy of their Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD 214) to the Box Office ATTN: Veterans Program at 26 N. Williams Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. For more information, visit rauecenter.org or contact the Box Office at 815.356.9212.

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