2010 Letter to Parents & Staff

When Althea founded Willowbrook nearly 30 years ago, she couldn't have imagined its longevity. In those days, she paid for everything herself to support her first Adventures in the Arts for children. As more campers came, donations of supplies also began appearing in the driveway and on the porch. Volunteers sprang into action sewing costumes, doing bookkeeping, and building storage sheds.

When the camp outgrew Althea's old farm in 1992, it looked like a wondrous vision was about to end. The City of Tualatin stepped in, providing a beautiful new home on acreage soon to be Brown's Ferry Park. Willowbrook prospered, drawing more and more children from the Metro area and beyond.

1996 saw a 100-year flood that destroyed supplies, furniture and instruments. Again, we thought it might be the end of the road. No! Parents, friends and neighbors came to the rescue, cleaning up and donating replacement items. A local restaurant threw a Willowbrook fundraiser. A parent sold books and donated the proceeds. In large and small ways, Willowbrook again got the hand-up it needed.

Through many challenges, Willowbrook has been buoyed by those who see the wisdom in nurturing children's imaginations and sustaining the art camp they love. Over the years, we have come to believe in what many call "Althea's Angels." They are our children, families, friends, the City, and the sometimes less tangible or serendipitous occurrences that almost magically remove barriers and hurdles.

As we enter our 29th year, we look forward to another decade made possible by the many “angels” who have lifted us up along the way. We look to a vibrant future and an arts community that flourishes along the banks of the Tualatin River for many summers to come, with Althea's Angels all around.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Pratt