POTTSTOWN >> The folks at Steel River Playhouse would like you to show them some love for Valentine’s Day.
And fortunately for you, it’s the kind of love money can buy.
The non-profit community theater and school is in the midst of its February fund-drive but an anonymous donor has offered to match ever dollar donated up to $25,000, meaning the value of every donation is doubled.
Appropriately, the campaign has been dubbed “Dollar for Dollar, Heart to Heart” and so far has already raised an impressive $15,000, said Lauren Pierson-Swanson, the director of development for the playhouse who conceived of the theme.
“I just had a very kind donor stop by and drop off a donation for $2,500,” she said.
But like the time you have left to buy your spouse’s Valentine’s Day card, the clock is ticking and the campaign finishes up on Tuesday, Valentine’s Day.
“We’re really hoping to finish strong and get as close as we can to $25,5000,” Pierson-Swanson said.
“The money supports so many good things going on here at the Playhouse, particularly the summer workshops where the kids get to take classes and some of that money can cover tuition for kids who can’t afford it,” she said.
Over the past few summers, summer workshops have staged “Seussical The Musical,” “13 The Musical,” and even “MacBeth.”
The Playhouse also has outreach programs, bringing theater and music and dance to places like the Olivet Boys and Girls Club at The Ricketts Community Center.
And those donated dollars will circulate back into the local business community, said Pierson-Swanson.
“I have had the owners of several downtown restaurants – Juan Carlos, Potts & Penn Diner, iCreate Cafe and Lily’s Grill – come up and thank me for the business we bring them,” she said.
“If you go into Juan Carlos on a show night, it is literally packed wall to wall, right up until 15 minutes before curtain,” she said.
“And it’s not only the theater patrons,” Pierson-Swanson said. “Last summer, we have 32 kids, ages 12 to 19 who were downtown buying smoothies after every rehearsal.”
“We’re really serving as an anchor downtown,” she said.
That was made evident when Steel River joined forces with ArtFusion 19464 and the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority for an Arts Walk in January which, despite some decidedly snowy weather, still attracted more than 200 people downtown.
You can make a donation online using either a credit card or PayPal, by going to the Steel River web page – www.steelriver-playhouse.org – or in person or by mail, at the theater at 245 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464.
When donations are doubled, a little love can go a long way.
