Photograph by George Sakkestad

Jerry Wilson (left), Joanne Ito and Bill Cilker enjoy themselves at the party honoring major donors to the WVC theater renovation fund at the Saratoga home of Mike and Mary Ellen Fox.




Donations bring WVC theater close to goal

Packard Foundation grant requires a local match

By Jason Baker

West Valley College is extremely close to reaching its theater renovation fundraising goals, thanks to charitable contributions from some generous community members.

As of May 20, officials reported that a total of $100,000 had been raised in the last seven weeks toward the goal of $250,000 needed to match a grant given for the project in March.

The college will receive up to a quarter of a million dollars from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to refurbish the aging theater, on the condition that it match the pledge, and bring the total to $500,000.

In response to the pledge, West Valley began the first fundraising drive in the school's history.

To reciprocate the community's goodwill, donors of $500 or more were treated to a Taste of the Arts celebration on May 19 at Mike and Mary Ellen Fox's estate in Saratoga.

Students from Mission College's Hospitality Management department catered the event, which was accompanied by entertainment by West Valley music and theater students.

Cynthia Schelcher, West Valley/Mission Community College District dean for advancement and head of the fundraising efforts, described the event as "picture perfect." The evening provided an outstanding showcase for the diverse talents of students from West Valley's acclaimed programs, she said.

The guests were treated to a visual feast in the garden, a musical feast and a culinary feast. "It was truly a taste of the arts," Schelcher said.

Schelcher said she was truly touched by the outpouring of generosity from the members of the community, in particular the donation by Max Crumley, a longtime WVC faculty member and the very first person to donate.

"A donation coming from a person like him, with such a long-time association with the college just means so much. It touched my heart," she said.

The quest for donations continues, Schelcher said, as do the plans for focus groups and coffees to better acquaint the community with the wealth of cultural programs the theater houses.

"It is our intention to continue this pace and momentum and obtain the remainder of the funds as quickly as we can," she said. "Person by person and group by group, we plan to inform and inspire the community as to the importance of the theatre and the cultural gifts that the theatre provides."

According to officials, West Valley College has never had the financial resources to refurbish the theatre, which is used heavily by the college's fine arts programs. The money will be used to bring the theater up to industry standards.

Slated improvements include adding adequate lighting systems and replacing broken seats, torn curtains and ripped carpets. A portion of the money raised also will go to updating safety features throughout the theater.

Despite the old theater, WVC has been able to maintain a high-quality arts program throughout the years. Two award-winning jazz bands from the college, the South Bay Youth Symphony and the West Valley College Symphonic Band are just a few of the groups which use the facility. A number of other community organizations also use the theater.

The theater also provides a home to the Steinway Program, the only program of its kind west of the Mississippi.

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