VPA partners with nonprofits to collect toys, food

WASILLA — The Christmas holidays are here, a time to enjoy dinners and gatherings with our family and friends. It’s also a time for giving and compassion, the very lesson Ebenezer Scrooge learned.

Scrooge became a different man after learning to treat his fellow men with kindness, generosity and compassion, and he gained a reputation as a man who embodied the spirit of Christmas.

Each year Valley Performing Arts performs a Christmas play, and this year chose “A Christmas Carol” to ring in the holidays.

Valley Performing Arts has partnered with three organizations through its Community Giving Partnerships: “A Preview Night At The Theatre” (a play invitation to nonprofit organizations), The Food Pantry of Wasilla (accepting food donations) and Special Santa (collecting new toys for the Toys For Tots program).

Theatergoers are invited to share in the spirit of giving and compassion with a donation of a non-perishable food item or a new toy during each performance of “A Christmas Carol.”

VPA will collect food during each of its performances this season, which ends with “The Trip to Bountiful” in May 27, 2012. The food will go to the Food Pantry of Wasilla, which served more than 43,000 individuals last year.

Toy donations benefit the Mat-Su Valley’s Special Santa and Toys For Tots, which have placed more than 15,000 smiles on children’s faces from Sutton to Talkeetna since it started in 1997. Chief Elf Organizer Mary Jo Parks and her very special elves suggest donations of books, toys, coats, electronics, personal items or gift certificates. Special Santa teams with local agencies, food banks and schools as well as Toys For Tots to reach families in need.

VPA performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m., through Dec. 18.

If you are unable to attend a performance, donations will be accepted at the VPA office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 251 W. Swanson Ave., Wasilla.