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Performance raises awareness for Child Advocacy Center

Community actor Matt Marino has been into acting since high school and, from 7-10 p.m. Wednesday, owner of Retro-tique Jillian Kelly will provide the space for Marino to share his talent to help an area organization.

Marino and his team will offer a family-friendly show filled with covers of Broadway songs to raise awareness for the Monongalia Child Advocacy Center.

“I’m doing what Jesus would want: Helping the children,” Marino said.

The center is a nonprofit and “nationally-accredited” center, according to its website. The organization’s mission is to “promote a coordinated response that is compassionate, efficient and puts the needs of children who are victims of abuse first.”

Marino said there are people from Morgantown and Uniontown, Pa., helping to bring Wednesday’s show to life.

Kelly recently leased another space around the corner from her antique shop on Walnut Street, and she said it will be an area for Morgantown Art Party and will provide a space for more fundraising opportunities. Kelly said she plans to work with local organizations to create a communal space for community development.

“This is going to be open for people to use,” Kelly said. “We’re working together as a space. … It’ll be a community venue/gallery.”

Admission is $10, cash only, and catering will be provided by Chick-Fil-A, Oliverio’s and Fat Angelos. Marino said a portion of the admission costs will go toward awareness for the Child Advocacy Center, which he said does not have enough recognition in the region.

“Not a lot of people outside of Morgantown know about the Child Advocacy Center,” Marino said. “I just want everyone to come to the show and feel
welcome.”

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