Dear Friends,

Thank you for joining us at the VSA arts of Maine winter fundraising event to support arts programming for children and adults with disabilities.  

The arts transcend many barriers, and provide a unique means to reach out and communicate. This is especially true when children and adults with disabilities engage in quality arts programs. Years of research on the impact of the arts validate our personal experience. 

A Christmas Carol is a good example of how the arts reach us. Dickens' play entertains while telling us an important story of personal change and shining a light upon the corrupt notion that social justice (and joyful caring) are inane.  As with all Dickens' works, this play causes us to reflect upon social justice and how one's choices CAN make a difference.  A lesson still very much needed today. 

As VSA arts of Maine began to consider using A Christmas Carol as a fundraising event we asked ourselves several questions about the images and characters in the play. We are lifted by the transformation of Scrooge. The Tiny Tim character, however, troubles many people who have a disability.  Tiny Tim is arguably the most recognizable character with a disability in our western literary tradition. The character portrays the image of passive acceptance of whatever others may choose to toss. We at VSA arts of Maine understand how Tim's portrayal can give pause and it seems appropriate to make some mention of this.  

The philosophy of VSA arts of Maine, which we communicate to all the artists with and without a disability, teachers, and volunteers we train is that no person deserves to be pitied. People, all people, deserve to be empowered. 

The arts do empower. This is why we are passionate about our work. Through the arts we break new ground, help people break out of self-limiting images and encourage communities to break out of limiting stereotypes. The arts represent a world of resources and opportunities, providing an outlet for creative expression and unlimited possibilities for personal, spiritual, academic, and professional success. VSA arts of Maine provides a vehicle for people to communicate and to transcend barriers. 

We hope you are entertained during this evening of wonderful theater. The play is certainly about enjoying oneself.  Perhaps when you go home, you will also take time to reflect upon the value of supporting the arts because of what the arts can do to benefit your community.  Help us support those who will often have no benefit unless we work together to make it possible. If not us, then who?

Thank you for joining us this evening. With warmest wishes for the holidays,

 Katharine D. Bloom 						David C. Webster
President of the Board						Executive Director

