HER PROGRAM FOR SPECIAL KIDS GETS BIGGER STAGE

Merrimack Hall co-founder wins national recognition

Debra Jenkins dared to dream.

Now others get to live theirs.

In 2006, Jenkins and her husband, Alan, bought Merrimack Hall on Triana Boulevard, built in 1920 as part of Merrimack Manufacturing, renovated it with thousands of dollars of their own money and turned it into a thriving performing arts center in 2007.

Billy Bob Thornton, Dionne Warwick, Bela Fleck and other musicians, along with hundreds of actors from touring productions, have performed there. So have hundreds of other "stars," including those in "Dance Your Dreams!," a program for children who cannot participate in mainstream dance education because of physical, mental or emotional disabilities.

For her efforts, the national magazine Traditional Home named Debra Jenkins recipient of its fifth annual Classic Woman award. She is one of six women in the U.S. chosen for their outstanding volunteer efforts. The story is in the November edition of Traditional Home that's currently at bookstores and newsstands.

Meredith Publishing, publisher of the magazine, will present Merrimack Hall with a $2,500 donation on Nov. 24 at an awards ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York City. First Lady Michelle Obama will attend or send a videotaped congratulatory message.

Jenkins is excited about the personal award, but even more so for the "Dance Your Dreams!" program, which will benefit from the prize money and attention. She adds this distinction to several others in her trophy case, including the prestigious Virginia Hammill Simms Award for outstanding contribution to the arts in Huntsville.

"I'm amazed, and humbled, to be selected and thrilled that 'Dance Your Dreams!' is getting its first piece of national publicity," Jenkins said. "When I spoke with the publisher about the details of the photo-shoot trip, she told me that I was selected on the basis of the renovations we did to the facility along with the program for handicapped children.

"The money they donate to us will be earmarked for 'Dance Your Dreams!' and will certainly buy a lot of tutus and tights."

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