News

Kids Up Front may be most known for sending thousands of kids to various arts, sports and entertainment events in Edmonton, but KIDS ON THE ROAD provided the Edmonton Kids Up Front Foundation the chance to grant magical bus tickets in partnership with Nomad Travel, and together, we gave a group of local kids a chance to hit the road and experience wonders of the Canadian west. 

On the early morning of July 9th, kids loaded their camping gear and boarded a charter bus heading south from Edmonton. Kids spent five spectacular packed days in the outdoors and experienced the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, the Badlands, the HooDoos, Horseshoe Canyon, the Royal Tyrell Museum, the Atlas Coal Mine, East Coulee School Museum, a Hutterite Colony, bison paddock, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump and a Tee Pee Village. Kids returned home on July 13th.

Daytime was spent playing, learning and trekking. The nights were spent around the campfire telling stories and singing songs. Sleeping took place in miners’ shacks and tee pees. Kids gained appreciation for Alberta’s environment, rich history and cultures as well as being given special insight into the Blackfoot culture and Piikanni Nation’s legends as told by the Elders.

Checkout the fun here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XMRTxF5nxY and visit the KIDS ON THE ROAD scrapbook.

Kids Up Front acknowledges the AMAZING support of program partners, Nomad Travel and associate vendors, program donors, T. Grundy, the Butler Family Foundation, C. Oshry, T&S Kane, K&J Fraser, program visionaries, Douglas Bevans, Cam Baker, Christine Cunningham, film guy, Dave Luxton/Dlux Productions, gear suppliers/designers, Above & Beyond Promotions, Kelly Resener, and stellar group leaders, Matt, Niki, Michelle and Jen. Thanks to ALL OF YOU, a bunch of great kids connected, formed friendships, discovered, dreamed…one magical bus ticket at a time!

Yesterday, Premier Ed Stelmach announced that 1,741 were awarded grants through the Alberta government’s Community Spirit Program. Kids Up Front (Edmonton) is thrilled to announce that our Foundation will receive a grant in the amount of $15,577.

“This is a wonderful gift that will strengthen our ability to deliver our 2010 program. I express heartfelt thanks to the Community Spirit Program for recognizing Kids Up Front, and to our financial supporters who made possible this opportunity.” KARLA SCHELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Community Spirit Program was launched in 2008 and is intended to encourage Albertans to donate to their charities of choice. Organizations, like Kids Up Front, can apply for a match of up to $25,000 for donations received from individuals throughout the year. For more information about the program, go to http://culture.alberta.ca/communityspirit/default.aspx

It was very touching for me and the person I brought (my mom). My mom and her brother, my uncle, who passed away in 1992, were two of Guns and Roses biggest fans. When I found out they were coming to the City I was so excited. I mentioned to Cindy Atkey, the Community Coordinator at YOUCAN, where I am attending a day program to get back on track that I wished I could go. Cindy said she would try but told me that it wasn’t a sure thing. I never really got my hopes up because of this.

On Friday, I worked really hard. I went and presented a Dealing with Difference Workshop at a school and then I went to Grant MacEwan in Millwoods to speak to a counsellor about going to school there. I didn’t even know I got the tickets until I got home and my grandfather told me he had to pickup the tickets. Cindy got an email from Kids Up Front and she responded to it. It was for two GNR tickets!

Sincerely,

Vernon

From Ann at ABC HeadStart, “Thanks for performing these small miracles for our families and their children. Hi, I just wanted to share a couple of stories with you.

On Tuesday we received 4 tickets to the Oiler’s game.  The family who received the tickets were just talking the evening before how much their little guy, who is in ABC Head Start, loves hockey and how it was too bad that they could never afford to ever take him to an Oiler’s game.  The next morning, thanks to KUF, they got a call from their ABC social worker offering the tickets.  They were thrilled to say the least.

 Today, when you confirmed that we had 4 tickets to Blue Rodeo at the Jubilee, I called our site that is closest to that venue and the social worker called a family who has teenage daughters to see if they would like the tickets.  Mom and the girls had been wishing this morning that they go to this concert but, of course, it was out of the question because of cost.  When mom got the phone call she couldn’t believe it, thought it was almost eerie that they made a wish for something and a few hours later get a phone call fulfilling that wish.

Thanks for performing these small miracles for our families and their children.  Good job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” ANN, ABC HEADSTART

“Sometimes we don’t see what effect we have on our youth, but I know that these experiences you provide to students will impact their lives now and in the future.” NANCY METCALFE, STAR PROGRAM

Thanks to CEDA for providing box seats for an Oilers game. The positive effect this special experience had on a young man reminds us that we cannot discount the power of a ticket! Read Nancy’s letter starprogram_jan2010.

Ever dream of flying helicopters as a member of the Canadian military?

Future helicopter pilots?... maybe, thanks to MP Laurie Hawn, the Edmonton Garrison, Squadron 408 and Don Barr for giving kids a chance to experience what it could be like to be a member of our Canadian forces.

Kids were given a chance to discover a future possibility of doing just that. Thank you to MP Laurie Hawn, the Edmonton Garrison and Don Barr, for giving kids an up-close and personal experience at the 408 Helicopter Squadron and lunch in the Mess Hall.

Our 408 Squadron Tour Scrapbook is not yet complete, but you can view a few pics here http://kidsupfrontedmonton.com/scrapbook/ 

A young man recently wrote, “Thank you to the donors of the tickets for the ESO “A Celtic Adventure” on November 21. I liked that we were right behind the orchestra. That way we were able to see the maestro and the musicians up close.  The music was very energetic.  The tap dancers had VERY VERY fast feet.  It was a nice that we could do something as a family. I also liked the popcorn my parents bought on the way out.”

Thank you again,

Ethan and Family

Mom says, “What a nice surprise to receive concert tickets to Rascal Flatts through my daughters out of school care program. Thank you for this opportunity.” See concert of dreams in the Kids up Front Scrapbook.

Thanks for the oiler tickets, what a night of family FUN!

Kids love the Oilers… we’re sure these smiles lasted for days!