Sometimes something as seemingly innocent as raising funds for a good cause can incite unexpected controversy.

For the past week, a furor has erupted over the Susan Komen Foundation and the Planned Parenthood split.  No matter which side of this controversy you believe in, it demonstrates how much people truly care about where their contributions go and what it funds.

Two years ago, the FCA board unanimously reaffirmed our commitment to our family program. We struggled to find one for last season. Concerned that this not happen again our first decision for this year was to bring up the remarkable New Shanghai Circus. Our board felt strongly that a part of our mission should be to the families in our community. Keeping family programming in our season and making it affordable is the primary goal of our Education Partnership appeal. It offsets the costs, keeps ticket prices down and enables us to give tickets to those who need it.

The past few years has seen a broadening of our outreach activities and thus, in our appeal. In addition to our low cost family programming and ticket donation program we have added rural, social service, military and expanded on our education outreach, bringing residencies into the schools in addition to our bus-in school shows at Hering. Throughout this time, there has never been a wavering from our focus and commitment to family programming and we thought now would be a good time to confirm this. As the needs and interests of the community change, our focus may change as well, but for now this is where we stand.

The Circus, and the opportunity for us to donate tickets to it, will be here in a very short time. What we can do is directly affected by what you do. We know we can count on you to give generously.

Thank you.