Ford's Theatre Names Homeless Children's Playtime Project Recipient Of 2018 Donation Drive

Ford's Theatre Society announced that the company of the 2018 production of "A Christmas Carol" has selected D.C.'s Homeless Children's Playtime Project as recipient of this year's donation drive inspired by the themes of charity in Dickens's holiday classic. The Homeless Children's Playtime Project partners with homeless shelters in Washington, D.C., to create safe and fun play spaces for the children where they live. Their trauma-informed programs help restore normalcy by providing opportunities for children to learn and heal through play, and empower children to make choices, express themselves, build friendships and find support.

During the curtain calls for performances, the "A Christmas Carol" company will collect monetary donations on behalf of the Washington-based non-profit. Patrons may also make donations through the Ford's Theatre Box Office. All donation checks should be made payable to "Homeless Children's Playtime Project."

"A Christmas Carol" plays at Ford's Theatre from November 15 through December 30, 2018. Tickets are available for sale at http://www.fords.org/performances/current-and-upcoming/a-christmas-carol/#tickets.

Since 2009 and in the spirit of giving and charity expressed in Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," Ford's audiences, cast, crew and staff have collected more than half-a-million dollars for charities Food & Friends, N Street Village, Bread for the City, Covenant House Washington, Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Thrive DC and House of Ruth. Funds directly help these organizations sustain the thousands within the D.C.-area who struggle with issues of hunger, mental health, illness and homelessness.

"Each gift made in support of the Homeless Children's Playtime Project during our curtain calls reaffirms that all children in D.C. deserve a chance to play, regardless of their housing status," said Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. "The company's collection is particularly meaningful to me this season as it should bring our 10-year-totals toward the one-million-dollar mark, and demonstrate our community's commitment to supporting those who have the greatest need."

"What an honor to be selected to be this year's donation drive recipient by the production of A Christmas Carol and the historic Ford's Theatre," said Jamila Larson, Executive Director of the Homeless Children's Playtime Project. "The Playtime Project relies on the generosity of the community to bring the power of play to the most vulnerable population in the District, and we are enormously grateful to the Ford's Theatre family for your support."

Ford's Theatre Society

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.

About Homeless Children's Playtime Project

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.

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