Peoria, Sun City Rotary clubs combine to donate $8,000 to Theater Works

Two Northwest Valley Rotary clubs have combined to provide a grant to Theater Works to help cover the cost of student field trips to the local theater.

The Peoria North Rotary Club and The Rotary Club of Sun City presented a gift of $8,000 to Theater Works prior to the July 27 evening performance of “Grease.” Rotarians from both clubs presented the donation on stage to Chris Hamby, C.W. McMillin executive director.

“Our clubs have a long history of supporting our local community, and we’re pleased to provide this gift to assist Theater Works in bringing children from underserved communities to the theater,” said John Calhoun, president of the Peoria North Rotary Club.

Students from Title I schools from throughout the Valley are invited to attend a performance at Theater Works at no charge. For many of these students, it’s the very first time they’re able to experience live theater.

A growing challenge for the theater over the past few years, however, has been covering the cost of transportation for these schools. The Rotary gift will be used to assist with those costs.

“We are so very appreciative of Rotary and its continued support,” said Hamby.

Rotary brings together a global network of community leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary has 1.4 million members from more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

Visit Rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.