Student at Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Raises Money for New Stage

Great Falls, Mont. – The Montana School for the Deaf and Blind provides free and appropriate educational and social-emotional growth opportunities to all children (ages newborn to age 21) who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, and deafblind throughout the state of Montana. Gracie Jones is a student at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. She is both low vision and in a wheelchair, but that doesn’t stop her from wanting to perform on stage with her friends. The MSDB Winter Concert will be held on December 21, but Gracie will not be on stage. She is asking the people of Montana to support her and the school by donating to this $83,175 project to replace the stage with one that is accessible to all. Although the current stage at the school has served them well for more than 40 years, it does not have an ADA-accessible ramp. “We are raising money to purchase a new portable stage that will allow all students to have access,” explained Gracie in a press release. “It will include a ramp and stairs that will allow students to safely get on and off the platform. It will also be easier to set up so that we can use it for more performances and other activities, such as assemblies and graduation.” With Gracie’s help, the MSDB Foundation has $55,000 of the $83,175 left to raise. A donor issued a matching gift challenge of up to $20,000 before December 31, 2023, so your gift will make twice the impact this year. “The sooner we get the stage, the sooner I can be on stage with my friends,” explained Gracie. The school is hoping to have the new stage completed for the spring performance in May 2024. To donate, please mail or drop off a check to MSDB Foundation 3911 Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT 59406-6576. Gracie Jones