Assemblyman Finch Secures Grant for N.Y.I.D.E.

July 26, 2007

Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R-C, Springport) presented President and CEO Sean McLeod of the New York Institute of Dance & Education with a $5,000 member initiative grant for the New York Dance Festival during the recent production of "Footloose," Friday, July 20, 2007.

As the highly anticipant crowd awaited the well known, Academy Award-winning, Kenny Loggins' "Footloose" opening guitar riff, Assemblyman Gary D. Finch was brought to the microphone to make a very special announcement indeed.

"Sometimes we overlook the arts; the thing that actually separates us from the rest of creation. Sean has brought to us a quality of life, and food for the soul. In recognizing that, New York State is giving Sean and the Institute a modest grant in the amount of five thousand dollars.

Sean has the unique ability to maximize everything he gets, so he can turn the five into twenty thousand dollars worth of work. Sean recognizes quality of life and what that gift is, and we understand it as well. This is why we are here."

In kind reciprocation, Sean added, "Gary is extraordinary, in his ability to know when to show up and what to bring, but in a real sense. We are seeing now my ability to constantly give more than I have got. That is inherited by the people who have raised me, my aunt Gloria, my parents, and teachers."

Assemblyman Finch has made a noted effort to support the arts in Cayuga County, and to support the broad reach of N.Y.I.D.E. His support has helped make these efforts a reality, and the entire N.Y.I.D.E. family thanks Assemblyman Finch for his dedicated support for the arts and those who provide "quality of life, and food for the soul."