SKIP wins $10,000 Brew Some Good competition!

The SKIP Steering Committee is pleased to announce that SKIP has been awarded a $10,000 prize in the 2009 Maxwell House Brew Some Good competition.

Hundreds of groups across Canada were nominated in the contest designed to encourage worthy organizations to “Brew Some Good.” SKIP was one of 17 groups chosen for the $10,000 donation.

SKIP founder and Chairperson Liz Martorano says the donation will help meet the immediate needs for the organization to evolve. “We are a dedicated group of people who are passionate about sharing our unique programs. What an encouragement it is when others see value in the organization we are growing. There were a lot of great causes nominated for the contest and for SKIP to be chosen out of such a worthy group is a tremendous honour.”

The Seniors & Kids Intergenerational Programs’ (SKIP) key program brings together junior elementary school students and nursing home seniors. Through class trips to senior care facilities, students learn valuable life skills and gain understanding and compassion for seniors. Seniors appreciate the companionship and share their life stories. They learn from each other and form unique and rewarding friendships.

Launched by Martorano five years ago, SKIP has grown each year. This year, 15 area schools and 19 nursing/retirement facilities will take part in one or more of the SKIP programs. News of the SKIP initiative has spread and interest in the SKIP programs has come from Western Canada and the United States.

“Our goal is to gain support and funding for our programs so that we can have a stable platform for our local programs and be the catalysis for expansion to other communities. We have done so much with just volunteers and borrowing meeting spaces around the city but ultimately we would like our own office and staff to support our partner schools and senior care facilities.”

SKIP acts as a liaison between participating schools and the destination nursing facilities, coordinating visits and helping guide teachers and nursing care staff. SKIP activities are curriculum related, fostering empathy and caring during a critical stage of childhood development.

“We are thankful to Maxwell House for their support of so many important causes and the donation that will help us to grow and prosper. Their humanitarian effort to encourage random acts of kindness and “Brew Gooders” has made a real impact and they should be commended.”

The Maxwell House Brew Some Good web site has videos from the varied contest winners and can be found at www.brewsomegood.ca.