If you have ever attended a matinee at the Fountain Hills Theater during the spring, summer and autumn, you are well aware how hot it is to stand or sit on our patio in the bright Arizona sunshine.

We have the unique opportunity to purchase awnings for the patio area with a great deal of help from Republic Services and from you, the public.

If you will be so kind as to vote your Republic points to the Fountain Hills Theater, we hope to receive one of the $5000 grants that would help to pay for a large part of the awnings we so desperately need.

With the awnings on the patio area, that space can also be used for workshops, classes, rehearsals and receptions for our students, actors and general public. An added bonus would be to shade the building and, hopefully, cut down on our AC costs.

Please go to www.fh.az.gov to register and allot your reward points to your award-winning hometown theater. Some people have been experiencing difficulty in registering, but please do not give up in your attempt.

You can call customer service and a very knowledgeable rep will stay on the phone with you and talk you through the entire registration process. I speak from experience.

Besides your points for recycling, you can earn instant points for reading articles and viewing videos on the Republic website. What could be easier?

You can help the Fountain Hills Theater and it will not cost you a single dollar. Thank you to our many theater supporters for your past and continued help.