A total of $75,000 has been awarded to two organizations by the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation. The foundation has awarded $50,000 to The Galesburg Community Arts Center and $25,000 to The Orpheum Theatre.
“The foundation board met in June to evaluate requests and felt these organizations were assets to the community deserving of donations,” said Andrea Vitale, foundation president. “We also were impressed with the leadership provided by Tuesday Cetin, art center executive director, and Andrew Driscoll, Orpheum executive director.”
The art center funds will be allocated to the Imagination Station to support the development of furnishings and programs for children and their families.
“With your investment, we would complete the build out of the 1,500 square foot Imagination Station space and design and implement the foundational programming for pre-K to 12 students and families, ultimately serving 8,000 plus youth per year,” Cetin said.
The Orpheum funds will be allocated toward upgrading aisle and stair lighting.
“Staying up to date on safety and accessibility at the historic Orpheum Theater has been a constantly evolving project in the 108-year history of the ‘Jewel of Galesburg,’” Driscoll said.
“The G.L. Vitale Family Foundation’s phenomenally generous gift to drastically update the wiring and lighting systems will quite literally ‘Light Up The Orpheum’ and is a major step towards making the theatre easier to navigate for our patrons.”
Since 2011, the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation has awarded more than $1.2 million to community organizations in Knox County.
“We are an independent foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Knox County residents in the areas of education, arts and culture, beautification, recreation, and health and wellness,” Vitale said.
