BRATTLEBORO — Thank you to more than 100 amateur and professional artists who helped make the Windham Child Care Association's fourth annual Fall Into Art benefit a successful event, raising nearly $8,000.
This year's silent auction event was again held at the All Souls Church in West Brattleboro on Oct. 17, with the assistance of Suzanne d'Corsey and Joy Wallens-Penford. Complementing the beautiful array of art was wonderful food from the Vermont Country Deli and the delightful sounds of Jazzberry Jam.
A number of businesses donated gift certificates or sponsored our event program. We also thank local media.
Profits from the auction go directly toward promoting a good start for all our children through our many programs, including child-care referral and financial assistance programs, professional development program for early childhood educators, the child- and adult-care food program, as well as our bookmobile and child-care programs.
But perhaps the greatest value of this event is the inspiration garnered collectively from the creative spirit from the many conversations we had with artists' aspirations and visions and through the professionals who constantly nudge and engage the creativity of the children in their care.
To see the wide-eyed 3-year-old smiling and pointing at her work hanging next to Cat Nunn's “Metal Pot with Apples” is simply magical. Those seeds can be everlasting!
This year's children's artwork was collected from eight regional child-care programs. Students from Academy School and Neighborhood Schoolhouse also contributed.
Like many fundraisers, Fall Into Art is a labor of love. Through our efforts, we have come to appreciate our friends and neighbors, the Windham County business community, and especially the artists from the areas of Wilmington, Putney, and Brattleboro.
Finally, thank you to the WCCA staff and board members who dedicated many hours on the FIA Committee.