The creative generosity of local author Diane Iverson will benefit hundreds of low-income families in the greater Prescott area during the holiday season.
Iverson has transformed her historical fiction novel, “Hannah’s Heart,” into a play. It focuses on a 10-year-old girl, Hannah Grace Meadows, who tries to find ways to give Christmas gifts to her poverty-stricken family. The novel, told in first person, is based in Prescott and features many identifiable sites for those familiar with the community.
Proceeds from the play adaption and its related activities will be divided between the Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) and the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) Family Resource Center (FRC). Kelly Mattox, FRC coordinator, said she and her colleagues are excited to be partners with Iverson in bringing needed services to students and families.
Sponsors for the play include the CCJ, PUSD, Prescott United Methodist Church, El Gato Azul Restaurant and others.
Iverson, retired director of special projects for CCJ, explained that she wanted to raise funds to support local families who suffer from poverty.
The play will debut at the Ruth Street Theatre at Prescott High School. Performance times are 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30; 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1; and 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors; and $10 for students, available at Jay’s Bird Barn on Willow Creek, CCJ on Miller Valley; and online at brownpapertickets.com/event3335519.
In cooperation with local playwright Melanie Ewbank, Iverson converted her novel – her 21st illustrated storybook, which she published in 2017 – into a play about the power of giving, especially to those who have less. Iverson wanted to show readers that a young girl, even in the heart of the Depression in 1935, can make a difference. Hannah, the oldest of five children, decides to sew heart-shaped ornaments and use them so she can then buy presents for her family.
Beyond proceeds from the play, Iverson says she hopes other funds will be generated through book sales, through the raffle of handmade quilted heart ornaments and, ultimately, the raffle of a wall-sized quilt created by local group, “Kwazy Kwquilters.” The 36-block quilt relates to Hannah’s story, Iverson says. For example, one block is a flower with seven petals, each petal representing a member of Meadows’s family.
Iverson is thrilled so many in the community are supporting the play, which benefits those in need.
“Prescott is a special community, and continually steps forward to empower people to succeed.” QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN