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A Magical Moment with Scott Hamilton
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"Soon after I began skating, my family went to visit my aunt and uncle for Christmas in Boston. It was a tradition back then that the Ice Capades would play the Boston Garden during the holidays, so we got on the train and headed into town.
"I was excited about this trip for many reasons: the train ride being close to the top of the list. We arrived, got our tickets and popcorn, and settled in for what was going to be a fun show. I liked the show a lot, but there was one performer that stood out. His name was Freddie Trenkler and he was the comedian in the ice show. I loved everything about his act! I will never forget how hard I laughed and how it made me want to skate just like him. I wanted to make people laugh like he did. It took awhile but I was able, over the years, to incorporate comedy into my skating performances. That quality separated me from other skaters and gave me a unique style that allowed me to thrive as a professional. Without Freddie's example, my career would have been much different and not nearly as much fun."
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Fall Intern Needed
If you'd like to bring joy to thousands of children while gaining experience in the non-profit world, then Tickets for Kids Charities has an internship for you!
WHO YOU ARE:You have a passion to help people and you understand that it takes all kinds of skills to get the job done. You are responsible, efficient, a good communicator, and able to work independently. A sense of humor always helps!
WHAT YOU DO:We can be flexible about your hours, both how many you work and which days/times as long as it's in regular business hours. Since this is an unpaid internship, we can arrange school credit.
WHERE WE ARE:We're located in Aspinwall (near the Highland Park Bridge) on a major bus line.
HOW TO APPLY:Send a resume and cover letter to info@ticketsforkids.org. Tell us why you'd like the internship and what your interests are... we can usually match opportunities to skills. No phone calls, please.
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A mentor & mentee from Big Brothers Big Sisters share a Magical Moment at a Pirates game.
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Samantha, Aubrey, and Alana show off the hockey puck they caught at Mellon Arena.
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Our Story is their Story
An agency responds to the kindness of TFK donors
"Through Tickets for Kids and the generosity of their donors, our youth learn not only that someone cares and that someone is willing to give up their seat for them, but also that they can do the same for someone else. It teaches them respect, integrity and the heart of giving. What more of an impact could we want than to teach these principles to tomorrow's leaders? Hats off to everyone at Tickets for Kids and to the donors who are giving a new perspective to today's society. Thank you for considering Young Overcomers United worthwhile to support."
Chris Maxim, Director of Young Overcomers United
Young Overcomers United is a non-profit organization specializing in helping and supporting young people between the ages of 15-25 with addictions. They have partnered with Tickets for Kids since 2008. |
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Welcome to Just the Ticket,
the Tickets for Kids® Charities
e-newsletter! |
In Their Words Think of how the world can open up to a child who has never seen a play, or been to a concert or a ballgame. We know that children come away from those events with a sense that anything is possible. How do we know this? They tell us!
With this issue of our newsletter, we introduce a new feature entitled "In Their Words." The stories that the kids, parents and chaperones share with us after they attend events illustrate the profound impact that we have on young lives, and underscore the value of our mission. Their emotional and heartfelt testimonials tell us how Tickets for Kids has brightened their lives today and helped them begin to dream exciting tomorrows.
We don't want to keep these beautiful - and sometimes funny - stories to ourselves. As our donors and friends, you will experience for yourself the joy of what the kids tell us - in their own words.
Allegheny County Juvenile Probation at
Sidney Crosby's Box at a Penguins Game
"I just can't imagine that I would ever sit in Crosby's box and watch the game. It's so unlikely that I would say it was impossible. It makes me think that if this could happen, what other good things could happen in my life? You know, I'm starting to think just about anything is possible."
Family Services of Western PA at
ATC Face Off Dance Performance
"The kids really enjoyed it! They loved the music...really got into it! It was a great way for them to let off some energy and 'cabin fever'...we are so grateful for these opportunities...without this, the kids would have nothing!"
Promise Village Home for Children at
Cirque du Soleil "Alegria"
"Everyone had an awesome time and gave rave reviews to the experience. The show was truly spell-binding. The kids are still talking about it. We couldn't afford to take them and appreciate you reaching out to us with these tickets. Thank you for caring and for all you do on behalf of kids. God bless your work."
TGIS Youth Program at
Sidra Bell Dance NY & Abraham in Motion
at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater
"The youth and parents in our group had never seen anything like this type of dance. We had a great discussion on the way home about this and what they learned after speaking to the dancers and the creative director. We were all exposed to a different way of looking at the world which opened our minds to new discoveries. Thank you TFK!!!"
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Tickets for Kids' kids are among the first to experience the new Highmark SportsWorks facility at the Carnegie Science Center. |
Go to the PSO and help
Tickets for Kids
For the 7th year, the PSO is giving proceeds from their Community Partners Concert to participating non-profit organizations, one of which is Tickets for Kids. This year, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra welcomes Grammy Award winner Gloria Gaynor! The concert will be on June 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Heinz Hall, featuring the dynamic Ms. Gaynor with the PSO and the winner of the 2010 Sphinx Competition, violinist Gareth Johnson.
You can participate in this innovative community partnership by purchasing your ticket and designating Tickets for Kids as your beneficiary of choice (Code #18220). The PSO donates all orchestra services and secures corporate sponsors to underwrite all out-of-pocket costs and collects only a 50 cent handling fee per ticket. So your purchase gets you a great night of entertainment and TFK gets a donation for each ticket. Mark your calendars and get your tickets today - and get your friends to go, too!
To purchase tickets, call the PSO Box Office at 412-392-4900 or visit the Pittsburgh Symphony website.
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Idlewild Fundraiser
Spend a day with your family enjoying Idlewild Park while supporting Tickets for Kids Charities. Idlewild Charities has donated some tickets for us to use as a fundraiser. Visit ticketsforkids.org or give us a call, 412-781-5437, to find out how to receive your discounted tickets.
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It All Adds Up - 2009 at Tickets for Kids Charities
160,000
Opportunities created for lower-income families
6,000
Events attended
$3.3 million
Dollar value of the tickets
2,400
Non-profit social service agencies and community groups served by Tickets for Kids
While these figures are powerful, Tickets for Kids is facing more demand than ever as families seek outside assistance to provide for their children and as agencies attempt to fill the void left by declining donations and reductions in programming. Your support is especially important in these difficult economic times, when families have had to cut back just to make ends meet. Funding is down, but requests for tickets are at an all-time high.
You, too, can help support children attending wonderful events. Do not underestimate the power of your donation. Donations big and small will help us continue to enrich young lives.
Easy ways you can contribute:
1. Mail:
139 Freeport Road, Suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
2. Online:
3. Workplace Giving:
United Way Contributor Choice #91430, Americas Charities # 4627
4. Ticket Programs:
StubHub, Tickets for Charity, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Tickets for Kids Charities enriches the lives of underprivileged children and their families by making it possible for them to attend high-quality sporting, arts, cultural, educational and entertainment events.
Since 1994, Tickets for Kids has reached more than one million children nationwide! Tickets are donated by venues, groups and individuals and then distributed by Tickets for Kids through more than 2,000 approved social service agencies.
TFK Charities 2.0 ;-)
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