Ford’s Theatre Society announced that a donation drive during performances of A Christmas Carol has raised $88,040.67 for the Washington-based charity Martha’s Table. Donations were collected November 18-December 26, 2012. In addition to the curtain call collection, patrons also were encouraged to make donations through the Ford’s Theatre Box Office and members of the Ford’s Theatre Society staff donated money to the campaign. On December 12, members of the cast of A Christmas Carol volunteered by preparing meals at Martha’s Table.

“Each year I am inspired anew by the outpouring of generosity from our patrons and the enthusiasm of the Christmas Carol cast and crew to make this charity drive happen,” said Director of Ford’s Theatre Paul R. Tetreault. “Supporting the local community through these collections has become one of our favorite holiday traditions at Ford’s, and I know our audience has helped secure a happier new year for many low-income and homeless families and individuals served by Martha’s Table.”

“Martha’s Table is thrilled to have been selected by the cast of A Christmas Carol to be the recipient of this year’s nightly collection as we have seen the need for our emergency services triple in the past four years,” said Martha’s Table Interim President Michael Bartscherer. “Dickens’s story reminds us of the warmth and kindness within us—and our ability to transform ourselves and those around us. Every night, right up the street from Ford’s Theatre, Martha’s Table volunteers serve hundreds of warm meals to homeless men and women.  In addition, we run a variety of grocery, clothing and education programs. Because of this partnership and the outpouring of support from the community, we can continue to provide all of these programs and carry on the lessons of this wonderful story throughout the year.”