Sarasota, FL (January 2006) – The Asolo Theatre Company is pleased to report that its holiday outreach programs in December 2005 - the Tiny Tim Fund, Community Service Nights, and Holiday Food Drive - were a big success. 

Children throughout the Sarasota and Manatee area attended performances of A Christmas Carol during December thanks to the Tiny Tim Fund, a benevolent fund dedicated to sharing the spirit of Christmas and the magic of live theatre with underprivileged children and their families.

The Tiny Tim Fund was started by a young actor named Chris Keller who played Tiny Tim in the Asolo production of A Christmas Carol a few years ago. Last year the holiday show was Peter Pan and the fund was renamed to the Tinker Bell Fund during that season.

Back to its original name, Fund contributions in 2005-2006 came from corporate sponsor Harris Trust, which once again provided $2,500. The $3,000 in remaining donations came from patrons who placed money in lobby collection boxes, Asolo staff members, and donated stipends from cast members. Young cast members Anthony DeNiro and Timmy Polk, following in the footsteps of Chris Keller, donated to the fund. The Asolo covered most of the cost and the Fund covered the rest of the costs so that underprivileged children and their families were able to attend performances of A Christmas Carol for FREE. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Inc., Girls Inc., and Just for Girls were the fund recipients this year.

Susan Melum the Asolo’s marketing director said, “The community really rallied for this fund and the other charitable activities we sponsored during A Christmas Carol. The Tiny Tim fund was particularly rewarding and I am sure we made many children very happy.”

Additionally, the Asolo Theatre Company sponsored several community service performances where those who work in community service organizations and jobs were offered a very low cost ticket when they donated non-perishable food items to the All Faiths Food Bank. More than 200 pounds of food, collected in barrels placed in the Asolo lobby during performances, from Asolo staff and the organizations that took advantage of the specially priced, $5 tickets.

Melum added, “This was the last season we will present this production of A Christmas Carol. With its message of giving and sharing, and the fact that it has retired from our stage, we wanted to make an even more significant contribution to our community.”

To learn more about the Asolo’s other programs for children and families, call Asolo Education Director Carrie Mills at 941-351-9010, Ext. 3320.