Despite the gravity and grey hair, I’m proud to be celebrating fifty years on the planet today.
I’ll be missing tonight’s “A Taste of Shakepeare” event to enjoy a taste of birthday cake with my hubby, children and in-laws — but have decided to support the cause by making a $50 donation to the Southwest Shakespeare Company.
Fifty years and fifty dollars. It got me wondering…
What if, each time we had a birthday, we chose a favorite cause and made a donation commensurate with our years?
What if we started the tradition with our children, donating on their behalf to a favorite arts or cultural organization — and then let them take over the decision of choosing the charity each year once they got old enough to participate?
And what about all those people we want to honor in special ways on special days? Gifts to arts organizations frequented and supported by our family and friends make lovely gifts and fitting tributes to the arts they hold most dear.
When just ten of us donate $50 to an Arizona arts organization, our collective gift to the community is $500. When 100 folks give $50, we give $5,000 together — which can help arts in Arizona grow more diverse and accessible.
Let me know if you decide to try this idea with your own family and friends.
I’d love to hear about the arts, dance, music and theater organizations you and your children are supporting — and other ways you may be integrating birthday celebrations and the arts.
And if you feel inclined to celebrate something today, just head to tonight’s “Taste of Shakespeare” event for food and wine tasting, fire dancing and frivolity as only these lovers of the Bard can deliver it.
— Lynn
