Tom Verner and his wife, Janet Fredericks, founders of Magicians Without Borders, travel to refugee camps, orphanages, schools and hospitals around the globe to perform magic shows.

World-traveling magicians to perform at UMF benefit

FARMINGTON – Magicians Without Borders, a nonprofit organization based in Vermont, will present a benefit event in support of Franklin County Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services Inc. (SAVES). Proceeds will benefit SAVES and Magicians Without Borders.

The event will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at Lincoln Auditorium, Roberts Learning Center at the University of Maine at Farmington. Tickets are $5 each and $20 for a five-person family pass. For children ages 3 and younger, admission is free. Tickets are available at Mickey’s Hallmark on Main Street, the Calico Patch on Broadway and at SAVES on Pleasant Street.

Tom Verner and his wife, Janet Fredericks, founders of Magicians Without Borders, travel to refugee camps, orphanages, schools and hospitals around the globe to perform magic shows.

In 2001, Verner was set to fly to Eastern Europe when he stumbled across a news report about refugees fleeing the war-torn province of Kosovo. Concerned and curious, Verner decided to see for himself. His experience inspired him to create Magicians Without Borders. Seven years later, the couple is often found traveling the world for up to six months a year.

“The Farmington community is fortunate to have (Tom Verner and Janet Fredericks) visit us,” said John Rosenwald, member of the SAVES board of directors and longtime friend of Verner and Fredericks. “They know that relieving the misery in refugee camps is not just about food, shelter and clothing, but also about spirit. Through mime and magic they have brought laughter and delight to thousands of children, both young and old.”

“People don’t know there are 20 million refugees in the world and they live in camps for decades,” Verner said. “Magic can awaken hopes and dreams. Magic makes the impossible seem possible.”

SAVES offers support to victims and survivors of sexual violence, survivors, their loved ones, school students, faculty, staff and parents, professional organizations and businesses, faith communities and systems providers.

To learn more or to get involved, contact SAVES at 778-9522 or visit www.savesrapecrisis.org. For information or support related to any type of sexual violence, call our 24-hour confidential helpline at 1-800-871-7741. Cell phone users in Franklin County may call 1-866-740-9516.