Group's residents have limited income

The Pend Oreille Players will be opening its 2010-’11 season on July 30 with “Little Shop of Horrors”. This opening night performance is a gate split benefit for River Mountain Village Assisted Living Center’s resident’s activities fund.

I would like to clear up some concerns that have been expressed to me about this benefit. River Mountain Village is owned by Newport Hospital and Health Services and this makes it accountable to state funding regulations. It is not a private enterprise with unlimited funds. Residents who are on Medicare have very limited personal income.

The money raised at this benefit will go to the Hospital Foundation earmarked for the activities fund. This will pay for things like a karaoke machine and tickets for the Lions Train Rides.

I must admit that I originally met with the activities director to see what we could do about selling discounted tickets to residents that could come to our shows. When the limited funds for this sort of activities problem was explained to me, my focus shifted to helping out instead of selling tickets.

I hope this helps our community to understand this benefit and encourages everyone to  come out to see a great show while helping enrich the lives of some of our senior citizens.

Tickets for the opening night benefit are $15 and this includes a before-show reception and after show “meet the cast.”

DONNA MAKI

Newport

Executive director

Pend Oreille Playhouse