Tonight we’ll host one of our favorite traditions at the Alliance.  Each year we invite members of the Atlanta Miracle League to attend the final dress rehearsal of A Christmas Carol.  The miracle league provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, regardless of the ability.  They also help facilitate other opportunities for families involved in the league.  Tonight we will welcome around 400 children with disabilities and their families to A Christmas Carol.  It’s a very special performance that our actors, house and stage managers look forward to each year.

John McLaughlin, who works with the North Metro Miracle League, contacted us via email to share some letters he’s received from families who attend each year.  We asked if he would let us share his email and the letters here, and he agreed –

Dear Alliance,
Thought you would like to see a sample of the responses I get when I send out your Christmas Carol invitation. Both of these families are having a very hard time and this evening is very special to them….and we are rapidly approaching 400. You guys make me a Hero every year……..At age 70 that’s not easy …That skin tight super hero suit just doesn’t look the same anymore….It’s getting saggy, baggy and draggy……It couldn’t be me could it…..Must be something the laundry did?
– John P McLaughlin

Hello John!!  I am so hoping that there may be 12 spaces available for the Christmas Carol perfomance!  It is like the biggest, most special-ist thing that our family does.  We are very much looking forward to dressing up a little and attending the theater with you all!   The show is soooo good.  Thank you for ALL that you all do, in so very many wonderful ways.

Hi Mr. John. We were at the Miracle League Christmas gingerbread party last year. Our Erica was the little girl in the walker lit up with christmas lights. We would love to attend if possible. We would be bringing 8 – 2 adults ( Mark and Kim – Erica’s parents) and 6 kids. (Joshua 14, Jessica, 12, Alyssa 10, Andrew 8, Emily 6, and Erica 5)   I hope this works out.  This has been a hard few months for the kids. Thank you for everything that you do. God Bless.

In the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us everyone!”