Dear Friends,

What a year!  Thanksgiving reminds us of how grateful we are for all we have and the wonderful community of friendship and caring we are fortunate enough to call home.

NextStage thrived in 2024.  We can certainly say that we left the pandemic behind and surged forward with enthusiasm and a cornucopia of programs to foster creative aging and involvement.  We sang; we danced; we had another successful year of both Reader’s Theater and Storytelling; we entertained at assisted living and memory deficit facilities as well as private and public events; we collaborated with other arts groups; we had classes, open mic events, benefits for the Vets, and, as if that wasn’t an amazing menu, we topped everything off with our fantastic 10th year Anniversary Gala at Seascape Golf Course that included great food, music, a presentation by our Taiko drumming class for people living with Parkinson’s, and boundless joy.  Yes, we are grateful.

And that gratitude translates to thanks to each of you who made all this possible. NextStage Productions is not just an organization; it is an idea; it is a dream; it is hope.  And it is fueled by the donations of our community.  NextStage is a volunteer group.  No one receives a salary. We all give from our hearts and our love for the arts that bring us so many gifts.  We fight isolation and depression; we light up the faces of those we visit in facilities.  We provide health & wellness benefits to people of all ages living with Parkinson’s disease; we create an opportunity for those who wish to perform in a myriad of activities - no experience necessary – just a desire to live life fully and become a part of a community that knows age is a just a number.

All of this is because of you.  Our success is because of you.  The opportunities we can provide are because of you.  Help us to continue to dream and build.  Please consider a year-end gift to NextStage Productions. Your gift, large or small, is so important, and every dollar goes to programs to enhance livingness. And all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.  Please help us continue to make a difference. A self-addressed envelope is included for the convenience of your return, or you may donate on our website http://nextstagesantacruz.org/stripe-donation-page.  

The best is yet to be!

Happy holidays and New Year. And thank you

- Janet Maack and the NextStage Family