Matches from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area experienced the magic of Sacramento Ballet’s Nutcracker by invitation of Folsom based SAFE Credit Union this holiday season.
Continuing in its efforts to support nonprofits and the vibrancy of the downtown area, the credit union sponsored a group of Big Brothers Big Sisters to attend a matinee performance. For many it was the first time attending the ballet including Little A’Royal Keys, 10.
“I thought it was very great. I liked the candy part,” says Keys, adding the best part was the dance of Mother Ginger and Her Polichinelles. “It’s very awesome and you should really go. (And) there was a lot of dancing and there were surprising parts.”
Big Brother Steven Herrera of Orangevale and Little A’Royal Keys pose with Sacramento Ballet Second Company Dancer Abby Burnette. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Bigs and Littles in attendance were treated to a special reception with lunch and treats as well as memorabilia before meeting Sacramento Ballet Second Company Dancer Abby Burnette.
“I really appreciated how generous SAFE Credit Union was with the seats and the donor’s box and all of the extras,” says Big Brother and Orangevale resident Steven Herrera, who thought it was important for his Little, A’Royal Keys, to see a performance live and “in-person” instead of just on a video screen. “That was such a great opportunity for RoRo to experience something like that.”
A not-for-profit credit union, SAFE shares in the credit union cooperative principle of “people helping people” through community initiatives. Building upon its 25-year, $23 million naming rights commitment and investment in the SAFE Credit Union Convention & Performing Arts District in Sacramento, the event highlights the credit union’s investment in Sacramento’s economy.
“SAFE was delighted to bring this special matinee performance of the Nutcracker to Bigs and Littles from our communities,” says SAFE Credit Union Community Impact Manager Lauren LeBov. “We hope experiencing the show together added to the magic and the memories of attending the Nutcracker and the ballet.”
Little Rose Shatara poses with Sacramento Ballet Second Company Dancer Abby Burnette. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Before the performance and on stage, Sacramento Ballet Artistic/Executive Director Anthony Krutzkamp welcomed and recognized the Bigs and Littles attending the performance.
“Sharing the magic of this holiday tradition with the youth of Sacramento is an incredible opportunity to inspire and ignite a love for the arts,” Krutzkamp says. “I can’t say thank you enough to SAFE, to buy those tickets. Those were amazing, authentic, wonderful, tickets. I can’t say thank you enough.”
Big Sister Stephanie Allen of Penryn and Little Sister Saliyah Keefer visit with Sacramento Ballet Second Company Ballet Dancer Abby Burnette before showtime. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Big Sister Stephanie Allen of Penryn, thought it was wonderful for her Little Sister Saliyah to watch the story of the Nutcracker unfold with no dialogue and through music and movement from the dancers.
“This was Saliyah’s first ballet and I was so grateful for the chance to introduce her to a totally new art form and experience it together,” says Allen. “I think meeting the dancer Abby and learning what it takes to be a professional ballerina was the highlight for her.”
Sacramento Ballet Second Company Dancer Luna Quaglia visits with Little Sister Amaiyah Taylor and Big Sister Megan Lyons of Orangevale during the Nutcracker’s intermission. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Big Sister Alyssa Sibley, of South Natomas, and Little Sister Nareiah Dillon prepare for the ballet’s matinee Nutcracker performance. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Little Sister Rose Shatara and her mother Crystal Shatara, also attending the performance, review the Nutcracker’s program before the show. Photo, Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Grandmother Linda Savage-Mitchell and Little Kimberly Mitchell pose with Sacramento Ballet Second Company Dancer Abby Burnette before showtime. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
Little Sister Nareiah Dillon and Big Sister Alyssa Sibley, of South Natomas, meet with Sacramento Ballet Second Company Dancer Abby Burnette before showtime. Photo by Robyn Eifertsen, SAFE Credit Union.
For more information about SAFE Credit Union’s recent sponsorship, contact Senior Public Relations and Communications Specialist Robyn Eifertsen robyn.slagle-eifertsen@safecu.org or (916) 809-7002.
For more information about the Sacramento Ballet and Nutcracker performance, contact Sac Ballet’s Marketing Director Colby Damon at rcdamon@sacballet.org or (916) 552-5800 x104.
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area, contact the nonprofit’s Advancement Director Madeline Lee madeline@bbbs-sac.org or 916-274-7391.
