The Fighting Quaker Brings America’s 250th Birthday to the Stage in a One-Night Benefit Event at El Portal Theater

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Historic Live Drama Honors the Man Who Hand-Wrote the Declaration of Independence, Benefiting the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — Producers Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis, Dale Fabrigar, and Nicole Mendez announce The Fighting Quaker, a landmark theatrical event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the iconic El Portal Theater, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601. Directed by Bryan Rasmussen and written by the late Ann Matlack DeLaurentiis and Tricia Aurand, the 40-minute drama brings to life the remarkable and largely forgotten story of Timothy Matlack — the man who hand-inscribed the final official copy of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The evening is a fundraiser benefiting the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation (MNITF), which raises awareness for kidney disease and organ donation. The event will include a festive food and drinks reception, gift bags, a VIP gifting suite, and an exclusive meet-the-cast experience following the performance. Attire is cocktail and business.

The Fighting Quaker traces Matlack’s journey from debtor’s prison to the halls of the Second Continental Congress, where — on the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin — he took quill in hand and preserved the most important document in American history. A colonel who crossed the Delaware, and later championed the abolition of slavery, Matlack was a man whose convictions grew stronger even as his world grew harder. The play’s message resonates far beyond the 18th century: studies show that writing by hand activates more brain circuits than typing, strengthening memory, comprehension, and language development — and in today’s digital world, Matlack’s act of penmanship stands as both legacy and call to action.

“I hope we can inspire audiences not only to reflect on our nation’s history but also reconnect with this simple, powerful act of writing,” says producer Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis, herself a descendent of Timothy Matlack and the daughter of playwright Ann Matlack DeLaurentiis, who first brought this story to the stage in 1968.

The production is sponsored by the Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Location: El Portal Theater, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 91601
  • Tickets: MNITF.org
  • Attire: Cocktail & Business

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About Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis Productions
A Hollywood producer with more than 100 productions and four decades of experience, Suzanne Matlack DeLaurentiis is the first filmmaker to receive a civilian accommodation medal from the United States military for her service to veterans. She was honored with a second medal by the Order of Saint Maurice in 2025. She is a descendant of Timothy Matlack and the daughter of the play’s original author, Ann Matlack DeLaurentiis. https://suzannedelaurentiisproduction.com/

About MNITF:
The Mendez National Institute of Transplantation Foundation advances research, education, and awareness around organ donation and kidney disease. For more information, visit https://mnitf.org/.

Charleston Animal Society Launches 10th Hank & Laurel Greer Lifesaving Car Raffle at Paws in the Park

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CHARLESTON, SC – February 25, 2026 – Charleston Animal Society is kicking off its signature Hank & Laurel Greer Lifesaving Raffle at this year’s Paws in the Park, giving supporters chances to win a new car or cash prizes while saving the lives of thousands of animals across South Carolina. The 10th raffle launches at noon on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the event in Brittlebank Park in downtown Charleston and will be hosted online through the nonprofit fundraising platform RallyUp.

This year’s grand prize is a 2026 Hybrid Toyota Grand Highlander Platinum Edition, valued at over $65,000, along with five additional cash prizes: $6,000, $4,000, $2,000, and two $500 cash awards. Only 4,000 tickets are available, with tiered entry options starting at $100 for one entry and multi-ticket packages offering increasing value—up to 20 entries for $1,600, at https://go.rallyup.com/toyota.

“Every ticket helps save lives,” said a Charleston Animal Society spokesperson. “Thanks to the generosity of our longtime benefactors Hank and Laurel Greer, 100% of raffle proceeds go directly to helping the 35,000 animals we care for each year.” Across 10 raffles, the Greers have personally purchased the raffle vehicles and provided the cash prizes, allowing all funds raised, now totaling more than $2.3 million from over 24,000 entries, to support Charleston Animal Society’s lifesaving programs.

The inaugural car raffle in 2018, featuring a donated Mini Cooper, sold out 500 tickets at $100 each and raised $51,000, with the winner driving from Ohio to pick up the car in Charleston. In 2021, the organization selected RallyUp, which is widely regarded as the best online fundraising software for raffles, raising over $270,000 with a Tesla Model Y grand prize. Subsequent raffles have featured vehicles including multiple Lexus hybrids, Subaru models, and a Hyundai Hybrid Santa Fe—each raising critical funds and expanding the impact for animals in need.

The raffle launch will be a marquee moment at Paws in the Park presented by Fetch Pet Insurance, the largest animal event in South Carolina and Charleston Animal Society’s biggest community fundraiser of the year. Held from 12:00 – 4:00 PM at Brittlebank Park (185 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC), Paws in the Park features dog adoptions, live music, Barks N’ Brews with 10 local craft beer breweries, a community-favorite Chili Cook-Off, an Oyster Roast, family fun, and opportunities to support Charleston Animal Society’s mission: the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Raffle entries are open to donors nationwide, and previous raffles have drawn participants from 48 states, with winners from both the Charleston area and as far away as Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, and California—demonstrating the broad support for Charleston Animal Society’s lifesaving work along with fundraising partner RallyUp’s national reach.

Call to Action
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase starting March 21 at https://go.rallyup.com/toyota, and Paws in the Park tickets can be purchased at https://www.citypapertickets.com/events/177805259/paws-in-the-park.

About Charleston Animal Society
Since 1874, the mission of Charleston Animal Society has always been the prevention of cruelty to animals. Recognized as an international model of lifesaving success, the Animal Society focuses on three impacts: ending the unnecessary euthanasia, overpopulation, and cruelty of animals. Last year, the Animal Society cared for over 35,000 animals, spayed or neutered over 15,000 animals, adopted over 5,000 animals, and taught compassion to over 11,000 children. As South Carolina’s largest lifesaving organization, animal organizations from across the state and beyond seek guidance and support from the Animal Society, whose guiding principle is that it has a disproportionate responsibility to others; if there is an animal in need anywhere that the Animal Society can impact, it will. With 13 consecutive years of exemplary independent financial audits, the Animal Society remains the top-rated nonprofit organization in South Carolina. For more information, visit CharlestonAnimalSociety.org.

About RallyUp
RallyUp is a global fundraising platform that makes professional campaigns designed to delight donors and drive results. With an average 38% increase in funds raised and a 97% donor satisfaction rating, RallyUp has become the platform of choice for global charities, national nonprofits, schools, churches, and other organizations. Learn more at rallyup.com.