The Privilege of Giving, originally printed in Media Inc. Magazine
By Rich Lancaster

I've been in the printing business only five years, so I'm really still learning the ropes inside one of America's oldest industries, but I have learned a thing or two already! What is so much fun about printing is that everybody prints; so as a rabid sales and marketing guy I can pretty much go wherever I want across the business horizon and attempt, at least, to participate in any new or old business venture, sporting activity or non-profit organization.

As what I'd call a "distinctive printer" around town we get to do some very neat projects with great organizations and people, and as the president of the company I also get to pick and choose which causes we are going to support. Frankly, that is the very best part of my job.

Printing Control is, and always has been, very active in the giving world locally. We try to combine our community service approach with our environmental position within the industry and really drive our industry in the right direction in a holistic way.

There is one project each year in particular that I feel really deserves some special recognition for what it does and how it does it. Let me explain: Matt Messina is a Seattle native living in Hollywood working as a score writer for TV and the big screen. Most recently he wrote the musical score to the blockbuster movie Juno, so Matt now has some serious national and international recognition.

But locally Matt is already famous for hosting an annual fundraiser for the Children's Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund, which covers families who do not have the ability to pay for the full cost of medical care for their children.

For over 10 years now he's been coming back to Seattle with a unique symphony he has composed especially for a one night performance at Benaroya Hall. Last year the concert was called Symphony Legacy and was a sell-out. It featured such great local talent as the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Ann and Nancy Wilson, and Alice in Chains. Each year the symphony that Matt writes is a unique variety show that is easily the best performance I attend.

Matt's passion for the cause, based on years of working with the patients at Children's drives him to put on a truly unique, heart-felt performance. The combination of a unique experience at Benaroya, the chance to see Matt's latest work, the collection of talent on the stage and the people in the audience who are there to support the hospital, makes supporting The Symphony Guild a real privilege each year.

Life is short, and for some, way too short. Having the chance to participate in something so balanced and so full of creativity and compassion is something that cannot be taken for granted.