Creative Kids grateful for Kiwanis help

El Paso, Texas, Times
http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_9934710
 
Creative Kids has become a powerful force in the El Paso arts scene, especially with projects geared to children. The founders of the organization credit several entities for that success, but one in particular has been a strong financial support system.

In 2006, the Mount Franklin Kiwanis pledged $148,550 to Creative Kids to be distributed over the course of five years. Saturday, the group presented its third installment of that pledge. The check for $29,700 was presented during the opening of the “Little Picassos” exhibit.

Creative Kids co-founder Andrea Gates-Ingle said she is extremely grateful to the Mount Franklin Kiwanis.

“The first two installments were used to help offset some of the building costs,” she said. “The final three installments will be used for program scholarships.”

Mark Pries, president of the Mount Franklin Kiwanis, said the nonprofit organization decided four years ago to change the way it gives money to local charities.

“Previously, we used to give $250 here and another $5 there. And while we still do that, we decided to start a foundation, which gave us access to a larger amount of money. That way, we could make more of an impact. We decided we wanted to give a large amount to one organization.”

Pries said the group voted on Creative Kids because it falls in line with what the Kiwanis groups already do—help children.

“We heard about them and their work with children,” Pries said. “Creative Kids started out small, and it just so happens that they mentor and help children as well.”

Much of the money raised by the Mount Franklin Kiwanis comes through a yearly fundraiser that offers a flag service to homes in certain neighborhoods. For an annual fee, the club will install a large American flag on the front lawns of customers on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day.

“We’re a small club with 21 members. We’re not General Motors or the Carnegie Foundation. So the fact that we’ve already been able to give $100,000 so far is very significant,” Pries said.

The organization votes every year on the donation. If members feel the donation is not being used appropriately, they can vote to give that money to another organization. But that hasn’t been the case with Creative Kids.

“We feel they have done an excellent job in the community,” Pries said.