LAKEPORT, Calif. – Longtime community supporter Gretchen McDonald of Kelseyville, has contributed $100,000 to further the restoration projects at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport.
McDonald recently attended a donor reception at the theater and heard a presentation about past successes, plans for future projects and the need for financial support of on-going operations.
“I was impressed with the theater’s presentation,” she said, regarding her decision to make such a major contribution.
“I was most impressed with the policy of not beginning a project until all the funds to complete that project are in hand. It also impressed me that the theater has no debt and a philosophy of maintaining a healthy reserve,” she said.
“This showed me that the theater would be a responsible recipient of my donation,” explained McDonald.
McDonald said that at the reception, Jennifer Strong – a certified financial planner and owner of Strong Financial Network – outlined the potential tax benefits of different types of financial contributions to the theater.
The funds were given in memory of McDonald's late husband, Bob.
“I had a required fund distribution so I asked my financial adviser to make a contribution with the mandatory withdrawal,” she said. “I had no idea it was quite that much, but Bob said he’d like to support the arts and the theater has become a major resource for the performing arts, so I said ‘give it all to the Soper-Reese.’ Bob would be so happy with this donation.”
Community involvement and support are not new to the McDonalds.
Gretchen and Bob McDonald moved to Lake County in 1986 and have been active supporters of several community organizations, including Clear Lake Performing Arts – now the Lake County Symphony Association – and the CLPA Auxiliary.
Gretchen McDonald served as a docent and board president for the Friends of the Lake County Museum, and is now helping Hospice Services of Lake County with its thrift stores.
The theater’s plans for these funds are to implement the façade agreement that was developed as a part of the City’s Main Street façade program. The city of Lakeport Redevelopment Agency set aside funds for the preliminary design of storefronts in the downtown area of Lakeport. The theater took advantage of this program and worked with the city’s architect to develop a preliminary design.
“This generous contribution from Gretchen and Bob McDonald will now allow us to move forward with this project,” said Nina Marino, chairperson of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre fundraising committee.
The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is owned by the Lake County Arts Council, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and is operated by the Soper-Reese Committee. Contributions to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre and the Lake County Arts Council are tax-deductible.
For further information about potential giving opportunities and the associated benefits, contact Jennifer Strong at Strong Financial Network, 707-262-1880.