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Hi! My name is David and I am a 77-year-old social worker who is going to climb Mount Sopris located just outside of Glenwood Springs, Colorado to raise money for the arts. Will you support my efforts? Up until two and a half years ago, I had limited understanding of the power of the arts. Then, my wife and daughter gifted me a voice lesson at Florida Children’s Theatre (FLCT) (a DBA of Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre), and my world flipped upside down!
My daughter shined on stage since she was six years old. Watching her grow up on stage, find her voice, and transform into a confident, passionate performer always left me in awe. She was my quiet inspiration for years, though I never imagined I would actually step into her world!
Then, the tables turned. Behind my back, my teenager asked her voice coach to “strongly encourage” me to audition for an all-ages FLCT production of Footloose. I did, landed a role, and fell head over heels in love with the stage. Little did I know that the things I admired in my daughter would grow in me as well, even at my age.
My time at FLCT enhanced my self-confidence, fostered incredible friendships, created new pathways for personal expression, and gave me great joy. The creative genie is officially out of the bottle, and there is no shoving it back in!
I also witnessed first-hand the incredible impact that the arts have on kids. Seeing these young people express their passion, build resilience, and learn true teamwork is pure magic. Every young person could benefit from the transformational impact of theatre, through skills that will serve them throughout their lives, essential for growing up.
But here’s the sad news. Over the past few years funding cuts coming down from the state and federal level have put this program in jeopardy. In Fiscal year 2024-2025 Florida Children’s Theater lost over $42,000 in funding from the government and for this year there is a real chance they could lose over $90,000 in funding, despite scoring incredibly high in grant panel reviews.
When I heard this, I made up my mind to help, and committed to this endeavor, Climbing for the Arts. Recently I heard someone say, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” This is my “something” and I hope you will join me to achieve the goal of raising $25,930. That money will help offset funding cuts and keep the programming alive and well for our children, as they have done for the past 74 years! Not quite as old as me, but they are catching up.
That dollar goal represents each foot up and down Mount Sopris, a peak in Colorado that I will physically climb in mid-September of 2026. I am not a professional mountain climber, nor an elite athlete, yet my efforts reflect the peaks and valleys of these turbulent times. Please join me on this climb by making a tax-deductible donation. I will be posting updates every step of the way, with all its ups and downs, both literally and figuratively.
FLCT is a remarkable organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation’s love for the theatrical arts. Through their programs, children, and even us grownups too, learn invaluable skills on and off stage. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in inspiring, supporting, and encouraging young people to thrive.
Thank you for your support!
And please learn more about FLCT.