Each year at this time, Dallas Children’s Theater invites audiences to join us in simple acts of kindness.  We realize there are organizations right here that are in constant need of support because they are taking care of our neighbors, other citizens that don’t have access to what they need. This year as we ask patrons to contribute to our two collections, we’re going to be offering a significant incentive – children’s tickets to THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY which will be at DCT this summer.

As you prepare for your visit to DCT for the world premiere musical SKIPPYJON JONES, please bring in an item or two to share.  Canned goods and other non-perishable food items will be collected for the Vickery Meadow Neighborhood Alliance Food Pantry. Vickery Meadow is an affordable community with heart and soul right here in our neighborhood, creating a safe, healthy environment for families. The food pantry was established to provide supplemental food to the low income, largely refugee and immigrant families living in Vickery Meadow, and they were thrilled that we offered to help.

Of course some of our neighbors have four legs. As Skippyjon shows how boring the world would be without some imaginative cats and dogs, we will also collect toys for cats and dogs at the Operation Kindness animal shelter.  Operation Kindness is the original and largest no-kill shelter in North Texas. They care for approximately 300 animals on a day-to-day basis, and some toys would provide much-needed play for these animals looking for a home.

We want our kids to be generous and aware of the needs of others, and this is a great way to have them participate in charitable giving, and feed off of your enthusiasm for helping your community. My kids love picking out toys for our dog, so our dog has plenty of toys.  I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share this simple act with them.

If you bring something for one group, you’ll receive one free youth ticket good for the summer production of THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY.  If you bring something for both groups, you will receive two youth tickets to the summer show.  Double your donation, double your fun!  Please note that this is not two items for one organization, but one item for each of the two organizations in order to get two youth tickets.

DCT always hopes our shows, like SKIPPYJON JONES, will convey important life lessons for our audiences, but an actual act of kindness shared by a family will create the greatest impact of all. Thank you for remembering our neighbors.  That’s what makes you a superhero