Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Partner on Holiday Charity Drive

Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera (HGO) are joining forces this holiday season to get books into the hands of Houston children who need them most.

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The two organizations are encouraging their employees, supporters and audiences for HGO's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and the Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER to get into the giving spirit by bringing gently used books to donate to Books Between Kids, a nonprofit organization serving Houston's at-risk children by providing them with books to build their own home libraries.

Book drops will be available throughout the Wortham Theater Center beginning at the Center's annual tree-lighting ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, November 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The collection will continue through the final NUTCRACKER performance on December 27. Donations will be accepted beginning at 5:30 p.m. on performance evenings and at noon on matinee days, through the end of the performances. The box office will also accept books weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We have all experienced the magic of a wonderful story," said HGO Managing Director Perryn Leech. "At this special time of year we wanted to give our audiences, especially young children, the chance to share that magic with others who are not so fortunate. We have seen participation grow since we started the partnership with Books Between Kids two years ago, and are thrilled that the Ballet is joining us this year."

Says Houston Ballet Executive Director James Nelson, "It is an honor to partner with Houston Grand Opera on this initiative. Reading is vital to our children's future and essential to cultivating creativity. We hope that Books Between Kids will bring a joyous experience to as many children as possible this holiday season."

For more information on THE NUTCRACKER, visit houstonballet.org. For more information on IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, visit hgo.org.

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