What a joy it is to write you and let you know that our ‘National Treasure,’ Midge LePree, is celebrating 90 years! Midge was one of the first people many of us met when we joined the Centers (back then the ‘Art League’). Her smiling face and helpful, caring manner gave us that first impression of the Centers—a friendly, personable place where everyone was welcome, and the arts were a gift to be shared, learned, and enjoyed by all. Our Centers’ culture was in every single one of those ‘welcome moments’. A culture that still runs strong today. Each new staff member, as they joined us, learned about our culture from Midge, and then passed that sensitivity and personable approach on to another.

I’m honored to let you know that Midge has chosen the Centers as the recipient of gifts honoring her 90th birthday. She has sent an announcement to her friends and family members, asking them to send a gift in her honor ‘Celebrate 90’ is what she’s calling it. I promised her I’d write to all our members and friends here at the Centers, letting you know her choice to let us share her 90th birthday, and help hundreds of young kids at the same time. Midge set up ‘Celebrate 90’ as a scholarship fund to award scholarships to kids throughout the next year, using the gifts received. I’ve made my gift, happy to honor such a wonderful person, one who’s made such an impact on the Centers, who dedicated so many years to helping us grow and become a great success.
If you would like to honor Midge by contributing to her ‘Celebrate 90’ scholarship fund, simply click the red button, choose a Scholarship option, fill out the donation form indicating that your gift is an Honor, and enter Midge LePree's name. Or call 239-495-8989.

MAKE A GIFT

Some of you may know Midge was not only my co-worker when I started back in 1999, but from day one she was my friend. We often joked that we were the ‘dynamic duo’, and for many years we were just that, serving our members and our community, painting kids' faces at events, checking people in at an exhibition or class, processing their membership or class enrollments. We did our first Bonita Springs National Art Festivals together. Midge was our staff point person for our festivals, the guru of information, working directly with our festival director—how to apply, how the jury worked, how slides were processed, and fees were taken. Later, even when our processes went online for our festival artists, it was still Midge’s face those artists saw when they checked in on Friday to get their space assignment for that weekend. They’d say hello, catch up with her, and give her a hug. I recall more than one new volunteer saying, ‘my gosh, she knows everyone’. I smile now thinking of how often I responded to that comment from an amazed volunteer.

When Midge retired, I really did feel I was losing something very special. Thank goodness (for me and the Centers) Midge has continued her membership with us, takes classes now and then, and attends plays, concerts, and one-night events. It’s such a joy each time I see her, sharing the gift of the arts with so many others. I see that same caring and helpful person, now this absolutely amazing ambassador for the Centers, sharing the arts with everyone around her.

Congratulations to our friend Midge and thank you for your support!

Best regards,