Now that we have been granted a "new lease on life" (explanation: by more than a 3 to 1 margin, the supportive citizens of Springfield, VT voted to grant us a renewed 10-year lease on the Players' Studio!), we feel that we can now address an issue that has concerned us for years: our furnace. 

We very much need to purchase and install a new furnace for the Studio building (and perhaps even combine it with an air conditioning system as well).  And we'd also have to address a building insulation upgrade needed for these new systems to run efficiently.

Background

For many years now, we have had to suspend productions during the winter months, due to the non-dependability of our ancient boiler and the high cost of fuel oil.  And during our summer productions, our audience members have often endured uncomfortably high temperatures during our July and August productions due to the summer heat combined with the stage lighting.  Many potential attendees have stayed away because of the heat inside the theater.

In recent years, we have had to "close the building" for 4½ months after our final Fall show and suspend our productions for the Winter and early Spring.  Each time, we have to pay to have the boiler and the water pipes completely drained to prevent their freezing.  And then, in the Spring, we have to pay to have the water turned on again.  We have to remove our paints and other materials that would be destroyed by the sometimes sub-zero Vermont winter temperatures.

Imagine an Acting Company with no place to rehearse and no place to present performances for 4½ months a year!

Our Goal

No question, our Studio needs a new furnace.  No question, an air-conditioned theater would be an asset that would improve both audience attendance and our performances during the summer months.  No question, a new heating and A/C system will probably cost over $13,000. 

Our Progress So Far

We have started a "Furnace Fund" for the new heating/AC system and we have already raised over $4,000.  But we are going to need a lot more if we are to reach our Fall, 2007 goal of $10,000.  We have had some and we plan several other special "Furnace Fund" fundraising events for this year.

A Generous "Challenge" We Must Accept

A "Challenge Grant" has been offered to the Players for our hoped-for heating/AC system:  For every $1 we raise, a generous anonymous donor will match $1, up to $3000.  If we can raise another $3,000, this benefactor will contribute $3,000 and we will reach our goal! 

That would allow us to purchase the heating/AC system we need to keep the Players' Studio open for rehearsals and performances during the winter months and to make it cool for both our audience and our actors during the summer months.

Request for Your Assistance

Therefore we are asking all our Members, Friends, Supporters and Sponsors to help us attain our project's goal, by contributing as much as they can.  No amount is too little.  We realize that everyone's and every business' financial situation is different.  And whatever you give will be matched by the grant.

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	Ah, to be able to present shows during the Winter months as well as the rest of the year!
	Ah, to be in the audience and enjoy performances in air conditioned comfort during July and August, instead of in a hot box!
	Ah, to not have attendance at our shows be reduced because of the summer's heat!

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Please help us meet this exciting challenge.  Our Members, Friends, Supporters and Sponsors have been so kind to the Springfield Players during our long 87-year history!

We can only do it with your help.  Please send any tax-deductible contribution you can make to: