To the Mt. Washington Valley Community and Friends ~

I am writing this letter as an individual and not officially representing any of the organizations with whom I work or any of the many corporations who are sponsors of the events which take place in our valley. My message concerns all of us who live here.

First, we are very fortunate to live in a beautiful area, but also to live in a community where our quality of living is increased by the many fine events which take place here. Considering the population base of the greater Conway community, it is remarkable that we are able have so many wonderful cultural programs and events at our doorsteps. One would expect to find such a list only in more metropolitan, larger populated areas. One of the major reasons we are so fortunate is because we are a community which relies on the economics of tourism and we are able to benefit from the events presented in the valley to both visitors and residents. A second reason we are able to present so many events is the tremendous spirit of volunteerism we have here in our valley.

But the most basic reason why we are able to enjoy so many wonderful presentations is due to the generous sponsorship of our local business community. Think for a moment about ‘sponsorship’. If you are involved in any type of non-profit group, you have no doubt at one time or another tried to convince a local business to help your group pay for something. Or you have asked a company to help your group by donating a product for a raffle, or loaning a piece of equipment you need to finish a project. This non-cash donation is called an ‘in-kind’ contribution. Whether it is a cash or an ‘in-kind’ donation, when a business gives something away to a non-profit group, it is a form of sponsorship.

Now comes your part in this equation. As an individual in this valley community - whether visitor or a resident - you benefit from these sponsorships. If you attend a free concert in the park, or your child plays in an organized soccer or baseball team, if you buy raffle tickets with an opportunity to win a fabulous prize, if you like to watch the local Easter Parade or Independence Day Parade go by, or love to see the fireworks display at New Year’s Eve or July 4th or after the symphony concert, then you are receiving the generosity of local business sponsorship.

Assuming that most of us who live or visit here in the valley benefit in some way from corporate sponsorships, I conclude this exercise with this question: Do you thank the business(es) that support the events you enjoy? We all know people who say that they went out of town to purchase their latest appliance or vehicle because they can get a ‘better deal’! It may result in a gain of $100 or $200 but it means taking their business away from a local company to a company OUTSIDE our valley. If we benefit from a better quality of life living here and part of that enhanced quality of life comes from events which are sponsored by our own business owners, haven’t we gained something - maybe more valuable than $100 or $200? Consider having to drive to a distant location in order to see fireworks, or hear a symphony? If a local business charges you $100 more on a $12,000 item, but at the same time contributes financial support to your child’s Little League team, or the local free concert of Ceili Rain, haven’t you gained something by supporting the local business? And whether or not you show your appreciation by spending money at the businesses who support events you attend, have you at least said ‘thank you’? It means a great deal to a business person to be recognized for supporting an organization or an event in which they believe. It shows that their decision to provide support was truly appreciated by people who directly benefit from that support.

So, I write this to ask you to please take stock of the activities that you enjoy which are able to happen because area businesses have helped pay the bill. Write a thank you note, be more conscious of patronizing those businesses, say thank you to the owner or an employee, and be aware of the various events throughout the year that you enjoy which can only happen because one of the valley’s businesses has helped pay the bills.