The Kiwanis Club of Kanata-Stittsville had been busy this past spring preparing for their annual Kids4Kids Talent Showcase – then COVID-19 pulled the rug out from under their plans. Glynn Kneebone, President of the local Kiwanis group and members wanted the Showcase to happen. The event raises much-needed funds to support local youth and children who are at-risk or in need through Kiwanis Outreach Programs. The decision was made to go virtual.
Kids4Kids will be broadcast live on August 6 starting at 7:00 pm on Facebook and YouTube. (Please note that the links to the Show will be activated 15 minutes before start time.) This Virtual Showcase features kids and youth between the ages of 11 and 18. Kiwanis members make it clear that this is not considered a contest, but an opportunity for young performers to share their talent with the community.
The Kiwanis have a star-studded lineup of guest MC’s to announce the performers — Dylan Black from Boom 99.7; Stuntman Stu of Magic 100; Mayor Jim Watson, local MP Karen McKrimmon and both Stittsville and Kanata Councillors.
In lieu of ticket sales, the Kiwanis are asking audience members to make donations to support the performers and those kids and youth in need. You can make your donation here. The 2019 Showcase raised just under $4,000 and contributed to organizations as follows:
- $500 to the Crossroads children’s Mental Health Centre to support two local children attending their summer camp;
- $500 to help those in need in the Bahamas (through the Kiwanis Canada Foundation who matched $1.00 for each $2.00 donated)
- $1,000 to the Kanata Lotus Centre for Music for people with Disability (90% of whom are children); and,
- $1,500 to the Ottawa West Community Resource Centre (WOCRC) to support their Youth Drop-in Centre.
Starting at 7:00 pm on August 6, you can view the amazingly talented kids of our community on Facebook here, or on YouTube here.
The Kiwanis Club of Kanata-Stittsville was formed in December of 2017 and is committed to providing support services to children and youth within our local community.