Earlier this year, I wrote a blog about our Sinterklaas celebrations in Rhinebeck, New York. As we gear up for another fund-raising event to benefit this great celebration (read more about it on the Huffington Post), our special events campaign is starting to really rev up.

This year we will be relying more than ever on the support of others within the community – we need Friends of Sinterklaas, 2009 everywhere to help us start our fund-raising off on the right foot. This year, I’m taking the advice that “People give to People” – that personal connections matter when asking for contributions – to heart. This Event Planner in the Hudson Valley is reaching out to you, her readers, and asking you to consider making a donation to a wonderful event which allows kids and their families to connect with Rhinebeck’s Dutch Heritage. Not only that, but we’re getting respect from the Dutch themselves! While on vacation in Costa Rica last week, I struck up a conversation with some folks from Holland. You should have seen how delighted they were when they heard about Rhinebeck’s Sinterklaas celebrations. With this kind of contagious support from afar, November 28th’s arrival of Sinterklaas and Rhinebeck’s parade on December 5th can only be a success. The Friends of Sinterklaas are hoping to make this a signature event for Rhinebeck, something like the blossoming of D.C.’s cherry trees, or the county fair everyone looks forward to all year long.

As we move forward with our plans and I keep working on fund-raising strategies, our Sinterklaas newsletter has finally seen the light of day and is already getting some great responses. We’re also going to have a table at the Rhinebeck Sidewalk Sale this weekend. Remember that county fair I mentioned? Well, Sinterklaas will be putting in an appearance at the Dutchess County Fair to sell t-shirts, stars, and our fabulous Sinterklaas coffee-table book.

There’s so much to do and so much work needed as we plan our strategy for supporting this year’s Sinterklaas. Fortunately, we’ve been bitten by the spirit of Sinterklaas. Come help!