As the spring drama program at Cranston High School West gets under way, a campaign to fund extensive renovations to the school’s auditorium has also begun.

The newly formed Cranston West Alumni Association Inc. recently announced the details of the fundraising effort, which offers West alumni the unique opportunity to commemorate their time at the school, to help current and future students, or to celebrate the lives of other alumni who have passed on.

“All of us who attended Cranston West sat in the auditorium many times for assemblies, concerts, and pep rallies. Some of us even remember singing and dancing, acting, or playing a musical instrument on stage. Now as alumni, we can take pride in giving back and helping to restore the failing auditorium,” the association states in its renovation campaign announcement.

The renovation plans will cost a total of $200,000, and include new seating, carpeting, and paint throughout the auditorium. Those who contribute are offered the opportunity to choose from one of four tiers of sponsorship. With 673 seats in the West auditorium and three additional seating areas available for sponsorship, those interested have many options to choose from.

Platinum Falcon sponsors – those making a $5,000 donation – can sponsor the back right handicap seating area, the back left handicap seating area, or the back center video and sound board area. They will receive permanent signage in the sponsored area, permanent signage on all seats located in the sponsored area, a web link located on the alumni association’s website, an email blast to all association members, banner recognition at the dedication ceremony, and recognition in the dedication program book. Of the three areas, only one remains, as $10,000 has already been donated at the Platinum level.

Gold Falcon sponsors – those donating $750 – will receive a gold plaque with their personal message on the back of one of the front row seats, of which only 26 were originally available, and 21 remain.

Silver Falcon sponsors – those giving $500 – will receive a silver plaque with their personal message on the back of one seat in rows two through four, of which only 83 were originally available and 71 remain.

Bronze Falcon sponsors – those donating $200 – will receive a bronze plaque with their personal message on the back of one of the remaining seats. Only 556 were originally available, and just 531 remain.

A total of $24,750 has been collected already, with an estimated $10,000 in additional commitments coming in, according to alumni association member David DiMaio.

It is the hope of the association that with the help of alumni donations, corporate sponsors, and grants, the renovation project will come to fruition in the near future.

“You may want to honor or memorialize a friend or relative, celebrate a reunion, or feature your business. Sponsoring a seat is a thoughtful gift for a graduating senior, a birthday, holiday or anniversary,” the association suggests in its recent announcement.

For more information, those interested in participating in the project can visit the association’s website at cranstonwestalumniassociation.org to fill out the required form, and can click on the donations tab to pay by credit card through PayPal if desired. Alternately, checks and completed forms can be mailed directly to the association at Cranston West Alumni Association, 50 Preston Ave., Cranston, RI 02920. All donations will be promptly acknowledged and are tax deductible. The association also has a Facebook page, hosts frequent events and tables at West events, and is hoping to further expand its current membership base as more and more former students come forward or are contacted by their fellow alumni.

The group will announce its next meeting date in the near future via its website and Facebook page. All interested alumni are encouraged to attend.