Rose Smith Price CooleyGrowing up in the Canarsie neighborhood in Brooklyn, I was fortunate at a very early age to attend live performances of ballet and opera in New York City. The awe and splendor of those experiences are unforgettable memories that I wish for each child today to have as they grow up. I believe the performing arts are an important tool to teach children about themselves and the world around them. Several years ago I began to volunteer at Wynnebrook Elementary School in West Palm Beach. One of the projects that has brought me great happiness was to find a way each year to give all the third grade students the opportunity to enjoy the magic of the performing arts that enhanced their school program by attending a live ballet performance at the Kravis Center. My original plan was to include the Kravis Center in my Will to fund such a program. However, I was both impatient and fortunate to find an immediate way to accomplish my dream. I did not want the children to wait and Mr. Jeffrey Pegg, the Principal cooperated unbelievingly with my plan. I chose to fund a Charitable Gift Annuity through the Kravis Center which provides current tax-favored income to me and provides me with the money to underwrite the cost of performance tickets for the students. When the children and I attend the performance, I feel so blessed I can share my joy and love of ballet and my good fortune today with the future generation of artists and audiences.

Rose Smith Price Cooley