Creative Kids and the Potash Corp Challenge

Regina and Saskatoon have officially been challenged. PotashCorp has issued a city-wide challenge to both communities to raise $50,000 each for Creative Kids. If these communities can rise to the challenge, PotashCorp will match the donations, dollar for dollar, by up to an amazing $100,000.

Creative Kids relies on the support of the community,” explains Christie Nenson, fund development coordinator, Creative Kids. “We wouldn’t be able to give kids the chance to participate in cultural activities without the generosity of individuals and organizations. We want to give those who may not normally have the chance to take the same classes as their friends to participate with them, and give them the same opportunities and experiences in arts and culture.”

Regina and Saskatoon Creative Kids Committees have already been working hard to secure donations, and the community support has started to show. “We recently heard of an impromptu singing duet in Saskatoon with Carrie Catherine and the CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce – they ended up raising $940.00, which is really $1880.00with the PotashCorp challenge going on right now,” says Nenson. Now that the program is gaining recognition in Saskatchewan, the program has begun to receive donations from individuals and different organizations around the province. “It has been great to see the different ways that people contribute to the program,” said Nenson. “Some people stop by the office and give us cash, some people make a donation in honour of a loved one or in honour of a birthday – we even received a donation in honour of Julie Andrew’s 76th birthday!”

Donations have also been received by several cultural organizations, such as the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Council (OSAC), the Saskatchewan Choral Federation, and Dance Saskatchewan. These organizations have donated money raised from their own events.

“Organizations like these understand the importance of arts and culture to a child’s life and they have found creative ways to contribute” says Nenson. “The best thing about the program is that, since all the administrative costs are supported by SaskCulture, we are able to tell our donors and sponsors that 100 per cent of their donation goes directly to the applicant, and that every penny donated is a penny available to be granted.”

Besides Nenson, who will focus solely on fund development, the Creative Kids team now includes Shawn Bauche as the new Creative Kids Program Coordinator and Mei Shan Wan as Program Support. Dean Kush, program manager, responsible for Creative Kids at SaskCulture, says, “The addition of staff for Creative Kids is a testament to how this wonderful program is addressing the needs of children in Saskatchewan and the future of this program is bright and the potential of what it can accomplish is very real.”

For information on Creative Kids Volunteer Opportunities, contact Shawn Bauche, Creative Kids Coordinator at 306.780.9469 or email: sbauche@saskculture.sk.ca or visit www.creativekidssk.ca.