Your Donation of Any Amount CAN Help the Playhouse!

Although I’ve been the development director for the past four years at the Omaha Community Playhouse, I have shied away from including any personal connections in our fundraising appeals, believing it more important to focus on the great organization that is OCP. My thought was that “it’s not about me, it’s about the Playhouse.” I still believe in principle that is and should be the case.

However, as I continue to talk to our supporters, it is becoming clear to me that we DO need to be talking about contributing to the Playhouse on a personal level because the majority of people still do not understand one of our core messages: donations of every size really do matter and make a difference.

This point was driven home to me recently as my very own mother apologized to me regarding the size of her donation. She, like many of our patrons, bought a season package and rounded up with a contribution to make her check an even $200. She then was surprised (and I believe a little embarrassed) when she received a thank you letter from me and a personal thank you call from Tim Schmad, our President. She told me “It wasn’t anything; you shouldn’t waste your time thanking me.” Unfortunately, we hear something similar from many of our donors.

Here are some facts to perhaps help you understand that we really mean it when we say that donations of every amount are needed and appreciated:
•Last year, 61% of all the donations OCP received were equal to or less than $100.
•Of NEW donors who gave a gift with their season ticket package, 87% of those gifts were equal to or less than $100.

You may have heard the saying “It takes a village…” The same is true of our friends at OCP. Yes, we need donors who can give more than $100. But we also need all those donors who give at whatever level they can. Both large and “small” gifts are significant to helping us provide our community with high-quality entertainment and educational opportunities.

Will you consider making a donation, of any amount, to OCP today? Click here to complete a secure online donation or feel free to send a check to my attention to 6915 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132. Thank you for your consideration and support.

Sincerely,

Alena Furlong
Development Director

Give the theatre experience to a child at the Child Saving Institute!

A Christmas Carol is a story of redemption, generosity and selflessness. It is a tale that follows a man, Ebenezer Scrooge, on a journey of life-changing events. He is visited by three ghosts one fateful night who remind him of his past, show him a clear view of the present and what his future holds if he continues to live a life of greed. After these visits, Scrooge sees the error of his ways and creates a wonderful Christmas for a deserving family, the Cratchits, who have next to nothing in material goods, but have a wealth of love and joy as a family.

Oftentimes during the holidays, we get caught up in our own families, trying to find the perfect gift for the hard-to-shop-for parent, the most popular toy for an excited child or the right item for the office celebration. In all the holiday chaos, we sometimes forget there are children and families, like the Cratchits, who have very little and a simple gesture or gift, may be the most appreciated of all.

This holiday season, the Omaha Community Playhouse is partnering with the Child Saving Institute to bring the joy of the holidays to children and families who may be less fortunate than those who are on your shopping list. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 8, you will have the opportunity to donate a ticket to a child for the Dec. 9 performance of A Christmas Carol. Just tell the Playhouse Box Office that the ticket is for the Child Saving Institute or speak with a CSI representative at a production of A Christmas Carol. Tickets must be ordered in person or via phone through the Playhouse Box Office.



Any gift amount is greatly appreciated!

$20 will send one child from the Child Saving Institute to A Christmas Carol
$30 will pay for a chaperone to attend A Christmas Carol
$100 will allow a foster family of four to experience A Christmas Carol

Ticket Drive Event
Join us for a ticket drive event and meet Scrooge and other cast members, take a backstage tour of the Playhouse and enjoy refreshments and entertainment when you donate!
Saturday, Nov. 27
2–4 p.m.
Omaha Community Playhouse
6915 Cass St.

Scrooge made the holidays bright for Tiny Tim Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Here’s your chance to brighten the holidays for a child in your community.

For more information, call (402) 553-4890, ext. 129.

Many Thanks to our Spring Producing Partners…

The Omaha Community Playhouse relies on Producing Partners (show sponsors) to help defray the costs associated with producing our high-quality shows. These contributions are vital to ensure the show goes on! Please join the Playhouse in thanking these generous donors for their support.

Producing Partners for Spring 2009 Productions:

Blithe Spirit – Mutual of Omaha Foundation

Bat Boy – The Musical
Orchestra Sponsor – The Whitmore Charitable Trust

Moonlight and Magnolias – ACT II and KPMG
Presented in Participation with Lauritzen Gardens

Twelve Angry Men – Fraser Stryker PC LLO
Workshop Sponsor – Wells Fargo

Gypsy – University of Nebraska Medical Center
Orchestra Sponsor – The Paul and Oscar Giger Foundation
Media Sponsor – Cox Communications