October 7 was a dream come true for Anne-Marie Moore (75) who received a golden invitation for her birthday, inviting her to be an honoured guest at a final dress rehearsal of Joburg Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Joburg Theatre.
The invitation was the result of years of Moore’s dedicated commitment to The Teddy Bear Foundation. Together with her team of Friends With Threads, Moore has donated countless teddies and blankets to the foundation.
Most recently, they gave almost 100 blankets and a selection of knitted bears, hats and jerseys to the non-profit organisation, and these were put on display in the foyer of Joburg Theatre on the day of Moore’s invitation.
Dalene Bishop, The Teddy Bear Foundation’s donor liaison officer, said it was Moore’s heart for helping others that made the team of the foundation think of acknowledging her when they heard she was turning a significant 75.
She said when she had approached Chase Bosch, Joburg Ballet company manager, he had suggested Moore be honoured at their final rehearsal of The Nutcracker. Joburg Ballet sponsored the show, refreshments, and meet-and-greets for Moore, her family, and her team of Friends With Threads.
“As it turns out, Anne-Marie has a special place in her heart for ballet. We were unaware of this,” said Bishop, who added she believed in divine coincidences.
Moore addressed guests on the day and said, “I skipped into my first ballet class at five years of age, and nearly had to be dragged out by my mother. This passion has continued my whole life.” She said when she had met Bosch last week, he had taken her into one of Joburg Ballet’s practice rooms, with movement, music, barres and mirrors. “A memory was sparked and I realised my love for dance has never died.”
Moore said she believed that when someone truly cared, they made an effort not an excuse, and thanked Joburg Ballet, clinic director Dr Shaheda Omar and her team of the foundation, her family, and Friends With Threads for the special afternoon. “You have allowed me to relive a childhood dream.”
Details: The Teddy Bear Foundation provides holistic child protection services to abused children and their families. To support: daleneb@ttbc.org.za
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