To the editor:

This year’s Joy to the Children is proving to be one of the most successful ever, pushing the total raised since 1986 to over $2 million. The proceeds, which support children’s programming at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, provide for 380 programs reaching more than 40,000 local children (coming from as far away as Plattsburgh, Minerva and Malone — over a 60-mile radius in Clinton, Franklin, Essex and Hamilton counties) throughout the year. In these difficult economic times it is truly a tribute to our community that we can muster this kind of support for our children.

Well-rounded children make the best future citizens, which is why we donate the cost of this event. Exposure to the arts in conjunction with all the other opportunities kids have in our area supports that objective. Ultimately, children are the future of our community. Lisa and I wanted our children to have this opportunity, which resulted in her creating Joy to the Children 33 years ago. All of our five children have participated in these programs and have benefited greatly.

I wish to thank the many individuals and businesses that donated so freely their time, service, efforts and products. A special “thank you” to the benefit chairs; Sarah Galvin, Cathy Johnston and Cheryl Morris, and all those who helped them; and the extraordinary efforts of the staff and management of the Center for the Arts.

I would also like to thank the staff of the Mirror Lake Inn for their fine efforts and once again my wife Lisa for helping to create this idea 33 years ago.

Sincerely,

Edwin H. Weibrecht Jr.

Owner/operator

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

Lake Placid