Dear Editor:
How often do we hear the words “dare to dream” but don’t really believe our dreams could come true? As producers of the annual Nutcracker performances with The Canadian School of Ballet and Ballet Kelowna at the Kelowna Community Theatre it has, for many years, been our cherished wish to present a special performance for the children of our community who are unable to attend for one reason or another. We are so grateful to Ken Thom, of Thom & Associates Financial Planners Inc., the Title Sponsor, who embraced our desire and convened a committee of representatives from The Bridge Youth & Family Services, Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation, Families in Touch and the Okanagan Boys & Girls Clubs who invited children to participate in this special event.
Huge thanks to Kids Care enabling us to provide each child with their own stocking filled with toques, Club Penguin DVDs, McDonald’s toys, BC Fruit Growers Assoc. fruit, toothbrushes along with coupons from the Okanagan Public Library, McDonalds, Scandia Golf and Games, YMCA-YWCA and many more. More than 25 volunteers spent their Sunday morning to stuff these stockings for the children. The City of Kelowna jumped on board and provided free transportation to the 800+ invitees. This is a truly collective community event. We were so honoured to have had all these wonderful partners come together, share our dream and make it a reality.
With heartfelt thanks to everyone for spreading the holiday cheer and making it possible to share this holiday tradition of The Nutcracker with so many more children.
Sincerely
Melville Brown and Lori Larson
Past Co-Owners, The Canadian School of Ballet
Co-Owners, Generation II