Important Notice Regarding Starry Night 2010

Band of Angels has made the decision to suspend the 2010 Seventh Annual Starry Night Gala and in its place accelerate a national library "Common Threads Library Book Donation" program we started a couple of years ago. Our goal is to place our award-winning book Common Threads in every Library in the United States. We have just received a generous contribution from Volkswagen that will place Common Threads in 100 libraries across the country. We are also very grateful to Macy's. Their funding placed Common Threads in every library in Michigan. Massachusetts’ libraries have Common Threads on their shelves because of the benevolence of the Massachusetts National Downs Syndrome Congress.

The "Common Threads Library Book Donation" program has strong philanthropic and recognition value for individuals and companies coupled with far reaching benefits to anxious parents. When parents first learn their baby has Down syndrome, the immediate feeling can be overwhelming. They desperately need help accessing positive and accurate information. Through the "Common Threads Library Book Donation" program, Band of Angels will be able to reach those who have not yet connected with anyone to interpret the news they will have a baby with challenges. One of our greatest joys comes when parents decide to continue their pregnancy after reading Common Threads. We receive calls and emails from these parents after pre-natal testing indicates their baby will have Down syndrome. Band of Angels has determined the best and most effective way to reach the most people is through the public library system.

As you can see, we have many states to go, a challenge indeed! This is why we need your help. We would like to ask that you make a direct contribution to this program in lieu of sponsorship for the gala. Last year the individual tickets for the Starry Night Gala were $250.00 per person and $500.00 per couple. Corporate sponsorships were $5,000 to $20,000. Band of Angels is asking for half or more of that amount from those who generously supported the Gala in past years or were considering doing so this year. With this program, your donation is fully tax-deductible—and support goes directly to those who need it most. When we receive the funds we will ensure that a nameplate is in every book designating the name or organization of the donor. For corporate donations, company logos are included in the nameplate. Please make your donations by May 7 2010, the day the Gala would have taken place. Thank you so much for your consideration of this important program. If you have any question please feel free to contact me.

Looking forward to reaching new goals in 2010!

Warmly,

Cynthia (Kidder) Hutchison