Ford's Theatre Company of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Raises $100,776 For D.C. Homeless Children's Playtime Project

Ford's Theatre Society announced that audiences and the company of A Christmas Carol raised $100,777.76 for the Homeless Children's Playtime Project during performances of this season's A Christmas Carol. This year's funds raised brings the company's 10-year totals to $836,600.29 for D.C. charities, aiding the thousands within the D.C.-area who struggle with illness, homelessness and hunger.

Donations were collected for the Homeless Children's Playtime Project at curtain calls for all performances from November 15 to December 27, 2018. Patrons also were encouraged to make donations at the Ford's Theatre Box Office, and members of the Christmas Carol company, crew and Ford's Theatre Society staff contributed to the campaign.

Since 2009, A Christmas Carol audiences, cast, crew and staff have raised funds for House of Ruth, Food & Friends, N Street Village, Bread for the City, Covenant House Washington, Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, So Others Might Eat (SOME) and Thrive DC in the spirit of giving and charity expressed in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

During these 10 years of supporting local non-profits, we've seen how simple gifts and acts of kindness have multiplied into marvelous contributions that improve the lives of the neediest in our region, said Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. I am incredibly proud of and moved by the company's efforts to champion Dickens's message of making a positive impact on the people around us.

"We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful to Ford's Theatre and the company and crew of A Christmas Carol for selecting us for this fundraising effort," said Jamila Larson, Executive Director of the Homeless Children's Playtime Project. "With more than 2,000 children living in homelessness on any given day in the nation's capital, our work to create safe and fun play spaces in shelters is as important as ever. These funds will go a long way in continuing our efforts to bring joy and much-needed services to the most vulnerable population in the city. Thank you!"

Playtime Project's mission is to cultivate resilience in children experiencing family homelessness by providing and expanding access to transformative play experiences. Playtime was founded in 2003 as an all-volunteer organization, providing weekly activities, snacks and supplies to about 15 children in a shelter next to the U.S. Capitol building. Today, we support approximately 700 children each year, thanks to over 300 dedicated weekly volunteers and a small staff. We offer the only programming of its kind in the Washington, D.C. region for children living in emergency family shelters and transitional living programs, providing weekly evening programming that brings the joy of play to more than 150 children and youth each week. Visit www.playtimeproject.org for more information and connect with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/playtimeprojectdc and Twitter @ProjectPlaytime.

Since reopening in 1968, more than a hundred years after President Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Ford's Theatre has celebrated Lincoln's legacy and explored the American experience through theatre and education. Under the leadership of Director Paul R. Tetreault, Ford's Theatre has been recognized for the superior quality of its artistic programming. With works from the Tony-nominated Come From Away and nationally acclaimed Big River to the world premieres of Meet John Doe, The Heavens Are Hung In Black, Liberty Smith, Necessary Sacrifices, The Widow Lincoln and The Guard, Ford's Theatre is making its mark on the American theatre landscape. For its accomplishments, the organization was honored in 2008 with the National Medal of Arts. For more information, visit www.fords.org.

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