Just want to drop a line to say that we are totally overwhelmed by the love and support our cast and crew received on Dec. 14 at the 40th Annual Community Christmas Concert.
We had two full houses, we had laughter, we had tears. Lots of hugs and sharing of the spirit of Christmas. As we do, after cleaning up and getting everything out of the school the cast gathered for a toast and snacks to celebrate our show. This is the moment that the Christmas Donation Box gets opened and the counting of the money begins. As Katie was adding it all up we were guessing how much it might be. The highest guess was $18,500. We were speechless (which is super hard for our cast!) when the amount totalled $21,284.00. With late donations we actually collected $22,234.00.
On Sunday, about 25 folks gathered at 8:00 am and we shopped for about 200 children aged 0-19. These names came from Family and Children Services and Limestone and Algonquin School Boards. Each child received a new outfit, pjs, socks and underwear, mitts and hat, and toys or personal items.
It’s pretty overwhelming to see 200 bags bursting with goods – each with a child’s name on them stacked in cart after cart.
This is what community does. This is what the power of organic, grass roots caring can do. We are so very grateful to everyone who supports us with donations, santa’s goodies, the facility, costumes, programs.
I also can’t begin to tell you how amazing this group of people are who come together right after Thanksgiving each year to throw ideas together, form scripts, figure out choreography, and then rehearse this show. Then the crew comes in and give us lights and sound and curtains. And a show is born.
We wish everyone love, peace and please remember to share these things all year around. All the best as we head into a new decade!
Mae Whalen,
For the Community Christmas Concert
(Photos by Adam Prudhomme)
Newburgh Christmas concert delivers laughs in 40th year, raises over $22,000
Lester Brown and Trina Kelly did their own special rendition of 12 Days of Christmas-showing off 'two French hens' in one of the many hilarious skits performed during 2019's 40th annual Newburgh Community Christmas Concert. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
