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Grounded coffee house donates June 28 sales to Kootenay Kids Society

Contributor
By Contributor
June 20th, 2012

The annual ‘Grounded Gives to the Kids’ fundraiser for the Kootenay Kids Society (KKS) is scheduled for Thursday June 28, this year, bigger and better than ever thanks to the addition of another local business prepared to assist community children of all ages.

Make plans to come for refreshments and buy some original art at Grounded!

For the past three years, owner Sasha Kitch has dedicated the proceeds from a complete day of sales (6 am-6 pm) to support the many programs Kootenay Kids delivers in the community.

Last year the organic coffee shop at the west end of the Grand Hotel was decorated with art from Kootenay Kids Board member Susanne Maguire Solarik’s class at South Nelson Elementary especially for the event.

The pictures were then sold to add to the day’s sales of Grounded’s sumptuous beverages and treats, all benefitting Kootenay Kids children’s programs in the the Nelson area.

The success of last year’s art event has prompted Melanie Ward, owner of the children’s art studio 4 Cats, to get involved this year.

Ward recently donated materials, space and time at her Victoria Street studio over the June 16-17 weekend for children to create art specifically designed for the June 28th festivities.

The additional art works will bolster new creations by the primary students at South Nelson School – all told there will be upwards of 70 one-of-a-kind pieces of art available for purchase, plus two jointly painted, large Jackson Pollock-inspired canvases for silent auction – along with the generous donation of the full day’s receipts from Grounded.

“This annual event is a way I can give back to the community,” said Kitch.

“My staff  like the busyness of the day, and the art we will be putting up on the walls from 4 Cats and the children gives the place a different look for a few days. It’s nice to have Melanie and her junior artists involved this year.”

“As a new business owner in Nelson, I feel very fortunate to be a part of this year’s event,” Ward explained.

“I think the programs Kootenay Kids Society delivers are fantastic, so the proceeds are for a great cause. Being able to work with Sasha on this is a real treat!”

While parents are an obvious buyer of their child’s art that will be on display, the fundraiser is focused on the entire community to take their coffee or lunch break at Grounded and purchase some original art for their offices or home.

“We encourage everyone to come down for coffee and treats throughout the day and pick up some fabulous art for their home or work space,” said Kootenay Kids Executive Director Valerie Warmington.

“This year, the entire day’s profits will go to our Farms to Families program. This program provides food vouchers to low-income families with small children to purchase locally-grown produce from the West Kootenay EcoSociety’s farmers market here in Nelson.

 “Kootenay Kids has run this very popular program for several years, and always there are many more eligible families than we can provide for. This doubly beneficial project – helping local farmers and needy families – is most worthy of strong community support. Thanks to the generosity of Sasha and Melanie and the community at large, it will be a great day!”

Kootenay Kids’ mission is to help children, parents and care providers achieve their full potential through the provision of support, education and other child-centered programming. 

Mark June 28th in your calendar!

Coffee, lunch, treats and art at Grounded – all for the kids!

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