Dear Friend:
You
might notice we've taken a bit of liberty with our logo. That's because,
like most folks, we've had that Lincoln coin much on our mind this
last year, and we've been doing everything possible around the Opera
House to save every penny we can. We've been turning off lights, turning
down the heat, and cutting our costs across the board. And so far,
it has worked.
In a year
when all grantmakers have faced reduced assets, and slashed their
contributions to nonprofits, we have managed, through our penny pinching
and tenacity, to continue our extraordinary level of service to the
community. Last year more than 41,000 people of all ages and diverse
backgrounds participated in 1,025 HOH programs and events -- most
of them free. There were concerts, readings, lectures, dance and drumming,
after-school programs, family theatre performances, toddler storytime,
programs for seniors, art workshops, teen theatre and writing workshops,
Winter Walk -- and more.
Sometimes
folks look at that level of activity and they think we must be well
heeled in some way, we must not really need support if we can pull
off that many programs. Let me assure you that that is not the case:
those pennies we're saving are not going into a cushion - they are
going into service. And from the beginning, that is where we have
stored up our treasure - in providing high-caliber cultural and educational
programs that are accessible to everyone in the community. But we
need your help to make this work.
Our attendance
figures continue to climb -- it seems clear that in this economy,
the community needs our programs more than ever. But how do we sustain
that level of service against reduced resources? Our penny pinching
will definitely help, but it is membership support that is the cornerstone
for meeting that challenge.
Your membership
support will help subsidize free youth programs, bring professional
artists into the schools, provide free tickets for needy families
to attend a performance, sponsor diverse artists from every tradition,
foster literacy for pre-schoolers, and keep the lights on and the
doors open!
Please
join us in this effort, and send your envelope today. Whatever your
level of membership, know that you are making a difference.
Gary Schiro
Executive Director
P.S. As
a member, you will receive discounts on admission, invitations to
special events, discounts at the HOH gift shop, and will be supporting
New York State's oldest surviving theatre - already open and serving
the public for six years when Honest Abe became president in 1861!