Letter to the Editor: Thanks to the Town for Supporting Dedham's Bunnies

Dear Editor,

The would like to take a moment to acknowledge the end of phase one of the project--installation of 15 originally around the town--and thank all those who made it possible.

We would first like to acknowledge the generous support of the following sponsors for their funding for the project: Dedham Savings, Needham Bank, Norfolk and Dedham Group, Dedham Community House, Whole Foods, Dedham Junior Woman’s Club, Dedham Parent Time, Dedham Cultural Council, Oakdale Square Alliance, Mother Brook Community Group, Delapa Properties, 4C’s for Kids, John Thomas and Special Friends Fund, Peter H. Reynolds, Giorgio Petruzziello, Waves Car Wash, Boch Automotive, our superstar anonymous donors (you know who you are), the many local businesses who have given in-kind sponsorship, and so many residents leaving their change in the various collection boxes around town or donating by check or through our website (www.dedhamshines.org).  Every single penny has counted and continues to count.

We also thank those who made the various locations possible: Dedham Parks and Recreation, Dedham Board of Selectmen, Dedham Library Board of Trustees, Dedham Civic Pride, Giorgio Petruzziello, Dedham Mall, Legacy Place, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Dedham Community House, St. Susanna’s, Willard Co., and Delapa Properties.

 
Phase two of the project, the display period, not only brings joy to our local residents but also attracts tourists to discover Dedham’s neighborhoods and businesses.  Projects like this around the country have proven that with art come dollars through “cultural tourism,” which means day trippers will decide to spend the day in Dedham. Once they’re here they decide to eat in our restaurants and shop in our shops.   We have already seen and heard about many visitors to Dedham doing just this.

Finally, preparations are in full swing for phase three of this project: the auction.  Dedham Public Art project is working with the online site Bidding for Good to create a nation-wide online auction starting on October 20th, which will lead us to a live auction on the evening of Saturday, November 3rd at the First Church.  If you would like to help with the live auction event, please join us for a planning meeting on September 10th,  at 7pm,  at Endicott Estate. 
Executing all the various phases of this project is not a job we can do alone.  We have a wonderful group of dedicated citizens, far too long to list, who believe in the power of public art to add vibrancy to the community and whose help has been invaluable.

Please consider a donation to this project to ensure that the marketing can be far reaching and attract as many visitors as possible to Dedham.  We truly appreciate all your support and hope that you are enjoying this exciting project.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Barsamian
Monika Wilkinson
Co-founders, Dedham Shines