Kids Helping Kids aims to help not-so-fortunate children

By BOB BECKSTEAD JOHNSON NEWSPAPERS

MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012

ARTICLE OPTIONS

A A

MASSENA — They call themselves Kids Helping Kids, and their goal is to make sure needy children don’t go without.

Members of the nonprofit club perform in shows and events to help raise awareness and funds for a cause or a child in need.

The children who take part in the club belong to the cheer squad or elite performance team called the One Note Triumphs, which is composed of older members.

Cheer squad, for ages 3 and up, includes Katherine Havican, Curissa L.H. Gambaccini, Kylie R. Gambaccini, Autumn Gambaccini and Cassidy Gunnip.

Members of the One Note Triumphs elite performance team are Sydney Gunnip, Matt Drake, Nicolea L. Rufa, Cheyenne Kirby, Mikeala L. Nugent, Riley Burton, Makayla Stockwell and Tiffany Havican.

The nonprofit organization was founded by Director Crystal Brault, who said she has invested $20,000 in the effort, which doesn’t include the cost of photography, computer and printer use, food and gas. She said she takes no pay for her work.

Ms. Brault said the group uses no government funds and raises the money on its own without reliance on outside organizations. It’s an opportunity for children to have fun while helping other children, she said.

In 2011, for instance, the club held a talent show for children 12 and younger, with a Disney fashion show and formal sit-down dinner. Adults had a menu that included chicken cordon bleu or grilled shrimp scampi, while children had a menu that included hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers and French fries.

The children and adults also staged a “Wizard of Oz” play and musical along with a deep-fried turkey dinner buffet.

They rounded out the year with a Christmas show, with Santa joining them to deliver presents to members of the club and children who attended the event.

Along the way, Kids Helping Kids organized a winter coat drive.

“I bought 11 coats from J.C. Penney on Black Friday and saved $384,” Ms. Brault said.

The coats were wrapped up in coat boxes and delivered to youngsters who needed them, she said. The club also held a fundraiser for a girl who was born with a heart defect.

This year, the members of the group held a talent show that doubled as a jamboree at the Amvets post to raise awareness and funds for cancer.

On July 28, they’ll have a Music Fest Jam 2012 fundraiser at the Ale House in Massena. The day will include bands, a barbecue, raffles, 50/50 drawings and more.

Music will be playing all day, with a music festival running from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a meal. Then it’s “adult time,” Ms. Brault said.

She said proceeds from that fundraiser will be used for musical instruments for children who might not be able to afford them.

The club is looking for instruments that people might not want anymore that can be refurbished and given away to youngsters. “We don’t want people to throw instruments away,” Ms. Brault said.

Those in need of an instrument will have an opportunity to come in and tell board members why they need one. They’ll sign a contract and keep the instrument “as long as they continue to play it.”

“Our goal is to have enough instruments for the beginning of the school year for all ages,” Ms. Brault said.

The group also has scheduled a golf tournament Sept. 16 at Twin Brooks Golf Course in Waddington. The day will include a barbecue at the Ale House and awards. The cost is $70 per person or $280 per team.

In the future, Ms. Brault said, the group wants to do the same for sports programs, such as paying for equipment or a registration fee for youngsters who want to participate but can’t afford it.

And, she said, “We’ll do fundraisers for other people.”

While the group serves children from St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, its ultimate goal is to reach as far as Plattsburgh, Ms. Brault said.

Those interested in obtaining more information can visit http://kidshelpingkidsorgny.com or call the office at 276-5814.