The economy has hit charities very hard. With more people in need of services and less funding available, it is becoming more and more difficult for charitable organizations to meet the needs of the community. In order to raise awareness of charities most in need this holiday season, Amanda Molé will be featuring one non-profit organization per week throughout the month of December.
Charity of the Week: Kids Helping Kids
What is it?
Kids Helping Kids is a 501(c)(3) non-profit program sponsored by Journey into the Performing Arts (JITPA). JITPA operates one program in Spring Hill, Florida, and will be opening another in January 2012 in Orlando, Florida.
Kids Helping Kids offers low-cost lessons in instrumental music, vocal music, and dance to children from low-income families. High school and college students earn volunteer hours by teaching music lessons to younger children. Currently, students at J.D. Floyd K-8 pay $15.00 for the entire school year (compare this to $100 per month at a private studio). Due to severe cutbacks in arts education, many low-income students would not have the opportunity to develop their talents in music and dance if not for Kids Helping Kids.
What kinds of services are offered?
- Lessons in piano, guitar, voice, and dance
- Supplies (such as dance costumes) sold to parents at cost (no profit to the organization)
- Concerts and other performance opportunities for KHK students
- Volunteer opportunities for high school and college students
What are funds and donations used for?
Even though the teachers are all volunteers, it still costs money to run the program. Music, instruments, dance shoes, the high cost of child care insurance, and other expenses add up very quickly. In the interest of keeping the program low-cost and accessible to as many children as possible, each child is charged only $15.00 per academic year. In order to avoid raising the cost of the participation fee, they are seeking donations to continue to help children enrich their lives and achieve their dreams.
How can I help?
- If you would like to make a direct monetary donation, please check out their website for information: http://jitpa.com/contact.html
- In addition to monetary donations, they are also accepting donations of dance supplies and music supplies
- If you know anyone who owns a small business, or is a manager of any not-so-small business, please ask if they are able to help out. See the sponsorship information below:
Kids Helping Kids understands that as a business, you need to be choosy about where to invest your funds. That is why we show our thanks to our sponsors by providing free advertising at all of our performances. Your business’s name will appear on the back of our organization’s T-shirt, in our printed program, and on our website. This way, everyone will know that you are supporting young artists right here in Hernando County! Here’s how to become a STAR:
Silver Star $100.00 - $249.00 donation
Gold Star $250.00 - $499.00 donation
Platinum Star $500.00 - $999.00 donation
ROCK STAR $1000.00 or greater donation
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