It is a little miracle to give away what you have to those less fortunate. Many of those in need go on to become the ones who give away little miracles themselves, and retired theatre professionals Ted Price and Anne Laughlin are adding their spark to the cycle of miracles this winter.
The Miracle Project is their contribution - a professional play they are producing - to the charitable works of 27 Million Voices and the Salvation Army. Price and Laughlin are the founders of Theatre North West, live drama is their passion and their profession, so it was the best way they knew how to raise funds for these worthy Prince George causes.
For Laughlin, it is returning the favour.
"When I was a child, about four years old, my mother wasn't a single parent but my father often had to go away to work in camps," she said. "I heard my mom say one night 'I don't know what we're going to have for supper tonight' and in my child's mind I thought I would be helpful and I said 'It's OK mom, we can just have what we had last night.' She burst into tears. There was nothing left from last night. There was no food, and no money for food. And I never forgot that."
For the past three years or so, Price and Laughlin have been building up to host a professional production of the comedy show Miracle On South Division Street. This spring, the pieces all fit together. All but one of the parts has been cast, all the actors are professionals who won their roles from a national casting call Price and Laughlin held just as they'd done for 20 years under the TNW banner. The staging is also being done by professionals. It will be performed from Nov. 20 to Dec. 6, at least 18 performances, with all cost-recovered proceeds being shared between the two charities.
The Salvation Army and 27 Million Voices were selected for different reasons, and yet the same. Although one is focused on addressing local hunger and one is focused on addressing child slavery and human trafficking in West Africa, both of them are dedicated to getting those less fortunate through hard circumstances and into a place where they can stand on their own.
"Everywhere you go there are children who need and deserve better," said Price. "These people - the Salvation Army Food Bank and 27 Million Voices - are experts at making things better for children. Anne and I are experts at making professional theatre."
Price explained that he and Laughlin had been in inspiring conversations with fellow theatre colleague Trish Lindstrom in Toronto who donated her skills to education charities in Central America, and then locally with TNW board member Terry Fedorkiw who's daughter Allison had founded 27 Million Voices while still in university. A chance sighting of a pamphlet from the Salvation Army caught their attention just as they were forming thoughts about using their theatre skills for philanthropy. The mosaic of ideas became a clear image to Laughlin and Price.
"We'd be pleased if folks would look on this play as our Christmas gift to Prince George, and the box office earnings as everyone's Christmas gift to the children that 27 Million Voices and the Food Bank cares about," said Price.
Representatives from 27 Million Voices - Allison Fedorkiw and Tonianne Mynen - and the Salvation Army - Bill Glasgow and Capt. Neil Wilkinson - were on hand to share the announcement.
"Why would a small non-profit based in northern British Columbia work in West Africa?" said Fedorkiw, explaining why the work of 27 Million Voices got the attention of the two theatre veterans. "We identified a gap in services where we could add value in a region where I, one of the board members, had been living for a number of years. But it is important to note that human trafficking takes place right here in Prince George. While our focus to date has been overseas, we are assessing the potential for collaboration with organizations that assist survivors of human trafficking right here in British Columbia.
"Ted and Anne contacted me with a simple message: they had come to Prince George with nothing more than a pickup truck over 20 years ago to start a professional theatre company, and it is now their turn to pay it forward. It is an impressive example of philanthropy here in Prince George, because it demonstrates that any of us can make the choice to give back. We will be seeking sponsorships for this project, and we hope that other individuals and businesses will be inspired by their example. We are very grateful to Ted and Anne for this initiative that they have put into motion."
Wilkinson said the Salvation Army was thrilled to be one of the beneficiaries of the Miracle Project. The need for fundamental help in the local community was always great, and his organization would put this contribution to immediate use.
"We are honoured and always grateful for partnerships such as these," he said, pointing out that of all the people their local food bank helps to feed each day, "48 per cent are under the age of 18 and that is alarming for someone in my chair."
To help sponsor or volunteer to help the Miracle Project play happen and these local charities get a Christmas boost, contact Laughlin at 250-563-6937. For direct aid to the Salvation Army, contact Glasgow at 250-596-0037, extension 226. For direct aid to 27 Million Voices, contact Fedorkiw at 250-640-4574.
Laughlin added that "this is a pilot project" and if it succeeded, it could be something she and Price replicated in the future.
