CHS AUDITORIUM RESTORATION FUNDRAISER LAUNCHED

Here's a great idea and a great cause

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Achieve Teams Up with School District to Upgrade CHS Auditorium

Maplewood, NJ—The Achieve Foundation has partnered with the School District of South
Orange & Maplewood to renovate the Columbia High School (CHS) auditorium. The $1.3
million project will upgrade features of the 85-year-old performance hall while restoring it to
its former splendor. Achieve’s Take a Seat (TAS) fundraising campaign will raise the money
to fill the gap between the $1 million the school district has allotted for the project and the
total amount required for the renovation.

With Emmy award winning actor and Maplewood resident Christine Ebersole as the
honorary chairperson of TAS, Achieve has raised approximately $150,000 toward its goal of
$350,000. Donors have the opportunity to dedicate new auditorium chairs to a person or
organization or to make larger donations to underwrite other major improvements. These
contributions will help Achieve raise the additional $200,000 still needed by May 2013.
Renovations to the 1,052-seat performance hall—the largest in suburban Essex
County—will begin in June 2013 and are scheduled for completion in 2014. 

The transformed space will not only benefit the students and faculty who participate in the high school’s stellar performing arts program but also community groups who seek a modern facility in which to host performances and events. Anyone wishing to dedicate a seat or make a donation to TAS should visit Achieve’s web site at achievefoundation.org or email

TakeaSeat@achievefoundation.org.

The Achieve Foundation of South Orange & Maplewood raises funds to promote
exemplary public education for all students and educators in the South Orange and
Maplewood community.