The PLAY Fund
Performances, Learning
& Arts for Youth
A Dedicated Fund of the
Wythe
County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc.
(An Independent 501(c) 3
Charitable Organization)
Background
The PLAY
Fund was organized in the fall of 2003 by a group of mothers who wished to
enhance Wythe County school children's exposure to the fine arts. Committee members are Farron Smith
(276-228-8474), Mary Boenke (276-228-9617), Lynne Storms, Jennifer Morin, Lisa
Lester, Caroline Stephens, Lisa Crowgey, & Cathy Valley.
Mission
The mission of The PLAY Fund is to develop a community-based group to work with Wythe
County Schools to expand student exposure to a diverse cultural fine art's
program. A major emphasis of the group
is proper etiquette education in relation to sponsored events. The PLAY
Fund would like to provide exposure to the arts to all students, but
especially those students whose parents may not have the income, resources, or
desire to participate in these events.
Funding
The PLAY
Fund is a dedicated fund within the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation
for Excellence, Inc. which solicits donations from individuals, businesses,
other nonprofits, and through payroll deductions from participating Wythe
County Public School employees.
Donations
Tax-deductible donations may be mailed to
the Foundation for Excellence, Inc., P.O. Box 815, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Please make checks payable to "Foundation for Excellence" and note "PLAY Fund" in the memo section.
Past
Projects
All Wythe County
School third graders were invited to a Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theater
performance in 2004 (The Wizard of Oz) and 2005 (Snow White). The PLAY
Fund donated $5 toward the $10 ticket price each year. In 2004, out of 228 students in attendance,
122 had never attended a Wohlfahrt Haus play.
In 2005, out of 249 students in attendance, 167 had never attended a
Wohlfahrt Haus play.
Fall 2004: The PLAY
Fund brought the Renaissance Music Academy from Blacksburg to all Wythe
County School first and second graders.
There was no cost to schools.
Approximately 700 attended.
Spring 2005: The PLAY
Fund sponsored a musical "petting zoo" by the Renaissance Music Academy for
Wythe County pre-school age children.
The String Quartet Performance designed especially for young children
was followed by time for children to look, touch, and "play" child-size string
instruments.
March 2006: The PLAY
Fund provided a program for all three Wythe County Middle Schools to see
"Unity Through Diversity" by The Fast Horses, a Native American family.
October 2006: The PLAY Fund co-sponsored with The Wythe Arts council The Mill
Mountain Theatre production of And Then
They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank.
February 2007: The PLAY Fund brought The Barter Players to perform Jamestowne: An Unlikely Story for all
Wythe County 4th and 5th graders. This coincided with
their study of Virginia History SOL's.
Fall 2007: The PLAY Fund supported music programs by granting $3000 to the four
elementary music teachers in Wythe County. Funds were used to purchase
instruments, equipment, and CD's that enhanced new textbooks they used that
fall.
Spring 2007: A string quartet from
Ireland named The Van Brugh Quartet
performed at Max Meadows & Rural Retreat Elementary Schools. An evening
performance was also enjoyed by the community. This group was made available to
The PLAY Fund through the
Renaissance Music Academy.
2007: Spiller Elementary Students were
treated to a performance called Fairytales
by members of the Renaissance Music Academy. After hearing the performance,
children were invited to the "petting zoo" to hold the instruments.
Fall 2008: The PLAY Fund supported art programs by granting $3000 to the six
middle schools and high schools in Wythe County. Art teachers will share how the funds were
used by the end of the school year.
Winter 2009: The PLAY Fund brought The Barter Players to perform I Can Be Anything: The Simple Machine
Musical for all Wythe County 2nd and 3rd graders.
This program coincides with the 3rd grade SOL study of simple
machines.
2007 & 2010: World-renowned pianist
Massimiliano Valenti performed in concert to support the Wythe Music
Initiative's scholarship program. Mr. Valenti was made available to us through
The Renaissance Music Academy.
November 2008 & 2009: The PLAY Fund, along with several local
sponsors, hosted Wytheville native Bryan Underwood in two classical piano
concerts. Funds were raised to support scholarships for Wythe Music Initiative
students.
Spring 2010: The PLAY Fund again hosted The Barter Players who performed The Scarlet Letter for all Wythe County
11th & 12th graders. The novel is required reading
for high school.
The PLAY
Fund will continue to provide cultural programming targeting all Wythe
County Public Schools through fund raising efforts of the Wythe County Public
Schools Foundation for Excellence, Inc.
