California Riverside Ballet has extended a hand of friendship to the families of deployed Military Service Families located at March Air Reserve Base. Col Richard Williams of the Army stationed at MARB was recently at the Riverside Chamber of Commerce meeting explaining his role, which included the morale and general support of the mobilized family members. He stated that especially around the Holiday season it is a difficult time to be separated from loved ones. CRB Board Member and Military Affairs Committee member, Collette Lee decided to take action.

CRB’s Board of Directors composed of community leaders whose interest is in the Ballet Arts resoundingly said yes; we can try to bring a little holiday magic to the families. “We want to demonstrate our support to our troop’s families”, stated Linda Jenkins. CRB has allocated 128 seats to the Gala performance on Friday, December 9 at the Fox Performing Arts Center to the children and spouses.

Families will be treated to a magical evening including a live orchestra, conducted by Scott Dunn an international conductor, principal ballet artists from New York, Janie Taylor and Sebastien Marcovici, and international child prodigy from Mexico, Jorge Larazzolo. “I can not wait to see their faces when the snow starts falling on the children!” stated Linda.

The Family Reserve Group is an assistance group that is initiated when a reserve unit is mobilized. The FRG will provide current information concerning family support available within the state to include military, federal, state, and local civilian support to military family members. Once a service member is mobilized, family members may find they need assistance with a particular problem or be in need of general support. Regardless of which military branch the Reserve is serving in, family members can receive services from any military installation.

Riverside has had a long term positive relationship with the March ARB and with troops being mobilized to Afghanistan and Iraq. It is just a small way the Riverside community can show they care as a city and want to provide a magical get away for the children and families of our Armed Forces.