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Arts Connection recently raised $22,000 to help two families in Sir Lanka.
Photo courtesy Arts Connection
Richmond’s the Arts Connection supports families in Sri Lanka
Published 12:52 PDT, Wed April 12, 2023
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The Arts Connection, a Steveston-based arts school and childcare centre, recently raised $22,000 to help two families in Sri Lanka. For one family with no home, a piece of land was purchased and a house built from scratch and furnished. The other family initially had an unfinished home, which was finished and furnished. Additionally, 125 backpacks filled with art supplies were prepared for students at a local elementary school, in addition to nine backpacks with supplies for teachers.
“Children learn by example and role modelling by teachers and parents,” says Arts Connection chief executive officer Linda Shirley. “Our vision is to foster children who grow up to be good citizens and learn about empathy, caring, and sharing.”
Funds were raised through various activities including Easter and Christmas cookie sales; sales of child-painted teacups filled with goodies for Mother’s Day; a paint night for parents; and a children’s art sale. Ticket sales at music recitals and dance performances also helped raise funds to donate.
“(The Arts Connection) also puts a lot of emphasis on community outreach through various fundraising and support projects, which I think naturally carries over into the personal values of our staff by nature of being surrounded by it,” says School of Music Manager Ali Burns. “It definitely helps morale knowing that we have goals as a company that lie beyond just the numbers of the business.”
Kim Chuck, an Arts Connection parent, said: “The amount of thought and care that is taken to nurture the children, while giving back to the community by being very charitable, is important for my family to invest in. It is key and necessary that we continue having art, dance, and music in our lives; Arts Connection does this by inspiring our children, the community, and our future.”
This is not the first time Arts Connection has raised funds for those in need. The organization has donated regularly for the last 10 years to Jeremy’s Memorial Foundation, and to the “Reach to Teach” program which offers art programs to underserved schools. Funds were also raised to support Fraser Valley flood victims and a family caring for a child with cancer.
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