Anyone who's seen Linda Eder perform during the past 6 or so years, may have noticed something a little unusual on stage — quarters! Lots and lots of shiny silver quarters lining the lip of the stage.

The "tradition" of fans placing quarters on stage at Linda's concerts began as a joke. Initially, it was meant as a playful reminder of something funny that once happened to Linda; but then the quarters started to multiply, and soon a substantial amount of money was starting to amass.

Linda decided the money should go to a good cause, and then realized that even one quarter could go a long way in the life of a homeless animal. The money, she decided, would go to Pets Alive, a "no kill" animal shelter in New York that takes in every animal they have room for, and is one of the few places that takes the carriage horses from New York City! And from that moment on, the quarters came in piles, and even transformed to dollars! Linda's fans, so enamored by the story and Linda's purpose for the money, opened their hearts and their change-purses.

And then something even more amazing happened! Linda met and became friends with Maureen Smith, the Executive Vice President of the Discovery Channel's Animal Planet Network [on which Linda's new show, "Trail Mix," will begin airing in January 2006]. And Animal Planet agreed to add $5,000 to the donation the fans had made in quarters. On Monday, July 24, on behalf of her fans, Linda and Animal Planet presented Pets Alive with a check for $11,898.75! That's a lot of quarters and a lot of love! Congratulations everyone!

For anyone who has yet to hear the quarter story,
here it is in Linda's own words…

[Linda spots some quarters on the lip of the stage]… "There are some quarters on stage! For those of you who have seen me before, you may know this story, but for those of you who haven't seen me and may be wondering what these quarters are all about, I'll tell the story now…

Ever since I played the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut, for the first time, quarters have followed me around. Anyway, I came out at sound check and right in the middle of the stage — right on the lip of the stage — there was a quarter. And it was shiny and a little distracting and I thought, 'I should pick that up because it will distract somebody,' but then I forgot...

So later, during the first half of the show, I noticed it again and it was sort of distracting — and in case you haven't noticed, I'm a little laid back up here — so I thought, 'Let me just tell everyone what's going on.' I went over to the edge of the stage and I worked my way down from my 5 foot 10 ½ inch height, in my low cut dress… I worked my way down very carefully to pick that quarter up… and it was NAILED TO THE STAGE! [audience laughter]

…And I just knew someone in that building, a stage hand, was just laughing his a** off at me! [more laughter]

… The quarter was supposed to be there. It was marking center stage! But showbiz "newbie" that I was, I had no idea at the time… and ever since that day, quarters have followed me!"

ABOUT PETS ALIVE...

Pets Alive is a no-kill animal shelter, located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, about 1 1/2 hours from New York City. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and place animals in need with loving, safe and secure families. Many of the animals taken in by Pets Alive are victims of neglect, abuse, and violence, or have special needs and have been rejected by other organizations. But this doesn't mean they should be given up on — Pets Alive believes that with proper love and care, these animals can once again flourish.

Learn more about Pets Alive and how you can help "their critters" at their Web site, www.petsalive.com.