A Message from Linda Thompson

Dear PAL Friends,
As the 2019-2020 PAL year ends and a new year begins, I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your support over the past four years.  It has been an honor to serve as your President, as I am very passionate about PAL’s mission. 
     This has been a challenging year in many ways.  Unfortunately, our only fundraiser planned for this year has been postponed indefinitely.  Consequently, funds for scholarships and grants were limited, but we were fortunate to meet our budgeted amount.
     I missed not having our usual fundraisers, but we did have some very enjoyable and entertaining meetings, including the popular dinner meeting at One North Shore, an informational and delightful meeting at Howard School where we were entertained with an original play, a Holiday dinner meeting at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre during a snow, and a luncheon meeting at Chattanooga Ballet where we were privileged to view a world premiere work.  We also hosted a successful dinner at the FEED Co, which was not scheduled at the beginning of the year.
Then COVID-19 hit with a vengeance and forced us to cancel meetings and events.  We had to make a lot of decisions we haven’t faced in the past, including “new to PAL” Zoom Board meetings. 
     At the beginning of PAL’s 2019-2020 season, I don’t think any of us would have imagined that the year would be cut short by a shelter-in-place order due to a worldwide pandemic.
    Despite the obstacles, we accomplished a lot, and more and more people are hearing about our good work.  Please click on the link below to hear a great interview in which Sasha Hitachi-Kizziah, a former scholarship recipient, and Margaret Green participated.      https://www.wutc.org/post/performing-arts-league-lifts-chattanoogas-youth
     Many thanks to all outgoing and continuing Officers and Standing Committee Chairs, and congratulations to the new Board and Standing Committee Chairs.
 
Sincerely,
Linda