2008 Woodie Awards
Circus to help children
Chris Hoff
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Community
It is all about the kids for Colleen Roberts. "I wanted to raise money for the organizations that we love," she said.
A special weekend circus aims to bring children smiles and funding to groups that help them. Saturday's matinee fundraiser benefits the organizations of Humboldt Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and North Coast Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Roberts, senior journalism major, is the circus secretary (as well as a former staff writer and online editor for The Lumberjack). She invites volunteers to bring their children. "They will not be turned away at the door for lack of funds," she said.
The fundraiser is a first for the Humboldt Circus Club. In the past the circus has worked with both organizations, but this is the first show where profits will benefit a nonprofit in the community. Circus member Ariana Madappa, dance/international studies major, expressed how important children are. "We as the Humboldt Circus like to inspire kids as much as possible," she said.
Shea FreeLove started the Humboldt Circus Club in 2000. Shea sees circus arts as an expression of joy and fun in society. Being someone who can make people smile motivates Shea. He said this is what makes the circus important. Supporting these groups, and the joy they give children, is a natural fit.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters develop mentoring relationships between children ages 6-18 and the volunteers. Christine Miller at Humboldt Big Brothers and Big Sisters said that small fundraisers by groups in the community total sixty-five to seventy percent of their budget. The funds are used to train and recruit new volunteers. Big funds from events like this are important in reaching out to volunteers and children that need help.
CASA also needs funds for training and recruitment. Their volunteers assist children and families in transition by advocating for the children they serve. Steve Volow, the executive director of Humboldt CASA, explained that fundraisers play a vital role to their operation. The funds from the circus event will go to operational costs as well as outreach. For instance, fingerprints for volunteers used to be done for the organization free of charge, but they now have to pay. Volow calls the funds from groups in the community a terrific help. In the middle of expanding its center, fundraising by community groups is important in meeting the needs of the children. The new addition will provide the volunteers and children a space to get to know each other.
She was a volunteer for Humboldt CASA for over a year. For Roberts it was one of the best experiences of her life. Many of the circus members work with children's groups in the community. The circus has done outreach to schools in the community for years. Before Saturday's show, circus members will be performing a show for the children of Trinidad Elementary School.
Roberts feels this fundraiser is important because the circus should be doing more for the community. Those who attend Saturday's show will have the opportunity to give an additional donation to the groups. Miller said Big Brothers and Sisters is really dependent on support from the community.
A special weekend circus aims to bring children smiles and funding to groups that help them. Saturday's matinee fundraiser benefits the organizations of Humboldt Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and North Coast Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Roberts, senior journalism major, is the circus secretary (as well as a former staff writer and online editor for The Lumberjack). She invites volunteers to bring their children. "They will not be turned away at the door for lack of funds," she said.
The fundraiser is a first for the Humboldt Circus Club. In the past the circus has worked with both organizations, but this is the first show where profits will benefit a nonprofit in the community. Circus member Ariana Madappa, dance/international studies major, expressed how important children are. "We as the Humboldt Circus like to inspire kids as much as possible," she said.
Shea FreeLove started the Humboldt Circus Club in 2000. Shea sees circus arts as an expression of joy and fun in society. Being someone who can make people smile motivates Shea. He said this is what makes the circus important. Supporting these groups, and the joy they give children, is a natural fit.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters develop mentoring relationships between children ages 6-18 and the volunteers. Christine Miller at Humboldt Big Brothers and Big Sisters said that small fundraisers by groups in the community total sixty-five to seventy percent of their budget. The funds are used to train and recruit new volunteers. Big funds from events like this are important in reaching out to volunteers and children that need help.
CASA also needs funds for training and recruitment. Their volunteers assist children and families in transition by advocating for the children they serve. Steve Volow, the executive director of Humboldt CASA, explained that fundraisers play a vital role to their operation. The funds from the circus event will go to operational costs as well as outreach. For instance, fingerprints for volunteers used to be done for the organization free of charge, but they now have to pay. Volow calls the funds from groups in the community a terrific help. In the middle of expanding its center, fundraising by community groups is important in meeting the needs of the children. The new addition will provide the volunteers and children a space to get to know each other.
She was a volunteer for Humboldt CASA for over a year. For Roberts it was one of the best experiences of her life. Many of the circus members work with children's groups in the community. The circus has done outreach to schools in the community for years. Before Saturday's show, circus members will be performing a show for the children of Trinidad Elementary School.
Roberts feels this fundraiser is important because the circus should be doing more for the community. Those who attend Saturday's show will have the opportunity to give an additional donation to the groups. Miller said Big Brothers and Sisters is really dependent on support from the community.
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Colleen
posted 4/10/08 @ 12:22 AM PST
Humboldt Circus Spring show explores a few of the different dimensions we dream to live in and live to dream in.
The show runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights April 10, 11, and 12. (Continued…)
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