Jones Center and Drama Group Come Together to Save a Roof

The has been in Chicago Heights for almost 100 years, shaping lives, and helping to raise children.

In July, we reported the Center, located at 220 E. 15th St., needed a new roof. The cost was around $150,000 and Executive Director Cheryl Roop didn't know where they were going to get the money.

Since then, the Center has raised some money, but the the costs have also gone up, according to Pam Sigler, daughter of longtime former Jones director Gene Sigler.

"We've raised about 25 percent, but we actually have to bump up our goal to $200,000 because we have interior repairs that need to be done as well," Sigler said. "Anything we make above and beyond the $200,000 would also go into the Jones Center."

Roop said the Center has received most of its support from area churches, but that they hope to reach out to businesses and residents that are unaware of the Jones Center.

"There are people that have been in the Heights for years that can walk in here and say, 'I never knew this place existed," Roop said. "We have wonderful supporters that have been here their entire lives, but we also would like to appeal to a broader base and gain more support."

That's where the Drama Group of Chicago Heights comes in, turning their latest production, , into an all out fundraiser to save the Jones Center roof.

Tonight, Oct. 20, all guests who attend the nearly two-hour set of songs will be putting money towards repairing the Jones Center roof and interior.

"We're just paying the cost of the play and selling the tickets for more," Roop explained. "We've had some very generous people that could not make it but made a donation anyway."

But guests will get more than a wonderful show, according to longtime Drama Group actress and choreographer Lynn Werth.

"They're having a buy-a-shingle raffle for the roof project," Werth said. "There will be food served before the show, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served during intermission."

Werth said the Drama Group has done fundraisers on Thursdays in the past, supporting other nonprofits, such as the in Homewood.

"We’re hoping they sell out," Werth said of the Jones Center. "They stand to make quite a bit of money, and Lord knows they need it."

Anyone interested in donating or buying tickets to tonight's show can contact the Jones Center at 708-757-5395, or show up at the tonight (if seats are still available).