Change Kids to the Max #GTMD2010

I want to raise $10,000 for Free Arts Minnesota during the Give to the Max Day 2010 #GTMD2010 on November 16, 2010 hosted thru GiveMN.org

To give a sense of what your money provides for these kids, let me tell you my story of Zach! Zach is a little boy about 9 years old. I met Zach at St. Joseph's one of our treatment facilities this past summer.

We had just completed an art program in partnership with Open Arms Minnesota. Where our kids decorated the grocery bags that are used for delivering food to their clients. I had received some great comments back from Open Arm's Clients and I wanted to deliver the messages personally to these awesome kids!

One of the quotes I read to the group was "You tell those kids they are very creative and thank you for making my day!" Zach was standing next to me and when I got done thanking the kids for all their hard work and caring actions, I felt a little tug on my elbow. I looked down and it was Zach with about the most precious and innocent face I had ever seen. He said to me and I will never forget this...."Keith, they thought we were creative?"

Now what 9 year kid do you know that has not been told they are creative with something.....well unfortunately I know many of them in our program, but you can help change that!

I looked down at Zach and holding back the tears (because it absolutely broke my heart to know this 9 year little boy had not been told he was creative!), and I said. "Why yes Zach you are very creative! And you really made these people's day, trust me I saw the smiles when I delivered the groceries in your decorated bags!" Zach just looked at me, smiled as big as a 9 year old could smile and ran off to play.

Now with your help, you can help about 4,000 Zach's have those moments in our program. Help us bring back the creativity to these kids lives to help them heal and really turn their lives around!

Free Arts Minnesota Mission:

We at Free Arts Minnesota know that artistic expression is a successful way to externalize emotions and gain self confidence. Through dance, drama, writing, music, painting, sculpting, photography and other avenues of creativity, Free Arts volunteers work to increase children’s self-esteem and build character by unlocking the imagination.

Children and families participating in Free Arts programs learn ways to channel emotion, release anger and express themselves safely. Building artistic skills gives children a positive sense of their own abilities.

Donate!

Art + children + mentors = positive change.

As a donor you are a vital part of fulfilling our mission. Thank you for joining our volunteers and community partners to help create a more positive future for the children we serve.