SKIP Director, Liz Martorano, called the event a “wonderful success” and praised the sponsors and event supporters for their contribution.

“We count on the community to help us fulfill on our mandate to bring seniors and children together. SKIP-A-BEAT is a major fundraiser for SKIP and so we’re thrilled to see the event improve each year. We thank the incredible sponsors that have donated to our event and the many businesses and companies that provide silent auction items.”

SKIP is an acronym for Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Programs. SKIP is a Brantford based Not-For-Profit with a multifaceted mission comprised of three initiatives, School Visitation, Mentoring Hearts and Music Enrichment.

Rob Smith, former Elementary School Principal with the Grand Erie Board and Spokesperson for SKIP explained that each SKIP Program fills a void in our community.

“The SKIP School Visitation program brings together junior elementary school students and nursing home seniors. The Mentoring Hearts Program brings senior elementary students together with retired seniors to talk about career paths and The Music Enrichment brings seniors and young people together for the pure enjoyment and love of music. All three programs benefit both area seniors and elementary students and enrich our community in a unique way.”

Live music filled the air all night long at SKIP-A-BEAT 2013 and began with a dinner music serenade from the Martorano Sisters along with Katie Cox accompanied by Linda NcCann on the piano.

Dancers Brian & Kelly Sloat from AIM (Art In Motion) Dance Studio also staged a comeback. Last year the dynamic couple entertained with Latin dance instruction and this year they captivated the audience with a passionate and fiery Valentines dance performance.

The featured entertainment for the 2013 event was donated by The Doctor Doctor Band and Friends. The Doctor Doctor Band performed at the first annual SKIP-A-BEAT to a receptive crowd floor and their return for this year’s event keep the dance floor packed with smiles and bodies in motion all evening.

Even the breaks between live sets were filled as “DJ Mix Master” Peter Bohlender kept the tunes rolling.

The event was made possible in large part due to the generous support of sponsors Schuit Homes, VIA Rail and Jewel 92 Radio. Scotiabank played a vital role again this year as a ticket outlet and valued participant.

SKIP-A-BEAT 2013 helped to raise over $17,000 in total with approximately $4,000 in profit going to SKIP and it’s programs.

Thank you to everyone who helped to make SKIP-A-BEAT 2013 a success!

Make plans now to attend the gala Valentine’s event of 2013. Our theme is LOVE and so the night is dedicated to the one you love!

Join us on Saturday February 9th for the SKIP-A-BEAT dance and fundraiser. The event includes a delicious Valentines dinner, live music from the Doctor Doctor Band, prizes, surprises and a silent auction.

Not only will you enjoy a wonderful night out with your special Valentine, you’ll be helping to support SKIP and our essential programs.  Our flagship School Visitation 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 stories of life. Together they learn from each other and form unique and rewarding friendships.

SKIP is a vibrant and highly successful one-of-a-kind program. Based in Brantford and founded by Liz Martorano, SKIP touches many senior care facilities and elementary schools in our area.  SKIP resonates in so many ways because it crosses generations and provides benefit on multiple levels in our community.

Reserve your tickets now and treat your significant other to a romantic and fun evening of dinning, dancing and silent auction excitement!  Tickets are just $70 per person or $65 per person for tables of 10 or more.  We’re eager to find corporations, companies and organizations that share our vision. Please share this page on your social networks and email it anyone you think might care about:

• helping students to develop empathy and respect for others, especially seniors
• providing companionship and friendship to the residents of senior care facilities

Treat your valentine to a night out and support our efforts to connect area youth and seniors for the benefit of each other.

Tickets are available through the Scotiabank in Brantford starting in early January at 61 Lynden Rd. (Lynden Rd. & Wayne Gretzky Pkwy)

You can also reserve your tickets right now by clicking here or call us directly at 519-865-2419.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Your Valentine deserves a night out and so do you!  Join us for a great night of dancing, fun and romance.

Paris Central Elementary School was a holiday host to some Park Lane Terrace Seniors on December 19th.  The students and seniors sang songs and enjoyed each other’s company as they celebrated the holiday season.

6 Seniors from Park Lane made the trip to Paris Central Elementary School. Joined by Park Lane Supervisors Caitlyn and Kristen, the seniors were both an audience and active participants in the singalong and holiday festivities.

Shannon Fleet, Paris Central teacher and SKIP board member said the event was fun for everyone.

“Both the Students and Seniors were quite excited about sharing the Christmas spirit with each other. Songs bring back memories for all of us, the joy of being together with family and friends and the idea of sharing and caring for others.”

The students made and presented Christmas Cards to the seniors and the entire group sang holiday classics including Frosty The Snowman, Silver Bells, Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, Silent Night and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

Grade 4 student Kiley enjoyed her time sharing with the Seniors.

“The Seniors sang and listened to us kids.  They smiled and laughed and really enjoyed us.  They reacted ever so joyfully and sang so wonderfully!”

Kiley believes that the experience was beneficial for both seniors and students alike.

“The Seniors make us think. The students think that Seniors are not just old people.  They are people who lived almost just like us kids did. The experiences make kids open their hearts to Seniors. The Seniors may have thought back to their childhoods and think about how amazing some children can be.”

Kiley really enjoyed singing and talking to the Seniors and she can’t wait until the next time she gets to see them!

The seniors in attendance had as much fun as the students. Park Lane resident “Danny” enjoyed her time at Paris Central.

“We are always so happy to see you all since you take the time to talk to us and have fun spending time with us.”

Infectious rhythms and exotic beats dominated the dance floor at this year’s SKIP-A-BEAT Dinner, Dance and Fundraiser held recently at the Brantford Golf and Country Club.

The 2012 SKIP-A-BEAT event was the second annual fundraising dinner and dance for Brantford based SKIP, an acronym for Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Programs. The fun filled evening raised over $2,000 for the Brantford based Not-For-Profit with special thanks to Scotia Bank for their generous donation of $5,000.

The evening’s feature entertainment, The Cazu Band, served up a Latin spiced repertoire which spanned Salsa to Meringue and even the non-dancers in the crowd were eventually drawn to the dance floor.

Liz Martorano is the creator and Director of the organization that brings seniors and students together for the benefit of each. “There’s just something about a Latin beat and the Cazu band had everyone on the dance floor. It’s happy and fun music and was a great choice for this year’s entertainment.”

Guests also enjoyed the musical stylings of vocalist and piano accompanist Monique and Huzz Band and Salsa Dance instruction provided by Art In Motion Dance Studio‘s Brian Sloat & partner Julie Vinnai.

“We could not have held such a successful event without the support of so many organizations and individuals” continued Martorano. “We had support from so many generous sponsors including our major sponsors, MMC Inc Architects, a company that focus on adaptive re-use of older buildings for seniors, healthcare and education and as well as Schuit Homes, award winning builder of luxury homes and condos.”

The annual fundraising event included a silent auction and many tables of silent auction items. SKIP-A-BEAT 2012 offered something for everyone including a draw for a key heart pendant necklace from J.H. Young Jewelers and an original canvas oil painting by local artist Lynn Gotkowski.

Valentine’s Day portraits were taken throughout the evening by professional photographer, Mark Burnham of Burnham Photography Studios on Grand River Avenue. The portraits will be made available for download from the SKIP website at www.goskip.org

The Valentines theme was complimented by a donation of chocolate treats from Ferrero Roche. “The company with was a perfect fit for SKIP-A-BEAT 2012.” Martorano says the International company with a manufacturing base in Brantford “has been very supportive of this community.”

Additional thanks from the SKIP Committee to the evening Emcee Stacey Farant, aka The Diva and 93.0 Radio for their support.

Specific thanks to Esther Yelle, Branch Manager of the Scotia Bank and her husband Mark for offering their time by joining SKIP-A-BEAT for the evening and for the Scotia Bank’s generous donation to the organization and its efforts.

See you at SKIP-A-BEAT 2013

Click here to donate to SKIP

Treat your valentine to a night out and support our efforts to connect area youth and seniors for the benefit of each.

Tickets are available through the Scotiabanks in Brantford;

1. 170 Colborne St. East
2. 61 Lynden Rd. (Lynden Rd. & Wayne Gretzky Pkwy)
3. 340 Colborne St. W. (West Brant)

Or you may call 519-512-2073  to order tickets.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Your Valentine deserves a night out and so do you!  Join us for a great night of dancing, fun and romance.

Visit our site for pictures and winners of our skate!

We will all miss her, and will carry a piece of “Ms. Tina” in our hearts.

SKIP’s Fund-raising Chairperson, Claudia Carlton says the February 12th event held at the Quality Inn on Colborne Street drew over 120 guests and raised important funds for the Brantford based Seniors and Kids Intergenerational Programs. “We were thrilled with the turnout of guests and their support for SKIP.” explained Carlton “We’ve already had requests for information on next year’s event and our hope is that this will become an annual fundraiser.”

SKIP founder Liz Martarano echoed Carlton’s feelings and added her thanks to the outpouring of support for the event. “Without friends, family and this amazing committee and community coming together, we would not have been blessed with such a truly inspiring and memorable evening” said Liz through smiles of appreciation.  “Our sponsors included many local businesses and individuals and their contributions helped made SKIP-A-BEAT 2011 a tremendous success.”

The crowd was entertained by live music from The Doctor Doctor Band.   The Doctor Doctor Band  is comprised of musical talents, Derek Dabre, Steve Somerton, Lew Miller and Rick Brumhall.  In spite of the bands self-proclaimed amateur status, they performed like professionals, entertaining the crowd with a broad range of music.

Between sets, “Ipod Mix Master” Peter Bohlender kept the crowd on the dance floor.

Keep scrolling down to see some great pictures from the 2011 SKIP-A-BEAT Valentine’s Dance and Fundraiser!

Ticket holders were automatically entered in a draw for over 45 door prizes as well as a 50/50 draw and a grand prize draw donated by JH Young Jewellers, a Pandora charm bracelet.

One of the highlights of the night was the incredible buffet served by La Bottega Italian Fine Foods & Delicatessenof Brantford.   The late night feast included an array of hors d’oeuvres, anti-pastas, cheeses, fruits and deserts.

Proceeds for the evening will be used to fund vital SKIP Programs and continue the incredible work that brings value and benefit to area school students and the senior care facilities that they visit as part of the School Visitation Program.

If it’s true that a picture paints a thousand words, we know from the pictures below that next year’s SKIP-A-BEAT Dance and Fundraising Event will continue to grow!

Thank you to everyone who supported our event including our generous prize and event sponsors:

Brittain Group Financial
L A Music
Starbucks
Phil McColeman MP
Floral Express
Adidas
Schuit Homes
La Bottega
J.H. Young
Williams Fresh Cafe
The Athletic Club
Elite Fitness Team
Home Hardware
Shoppers Drug Mart
Forward Restaurant
Homesquad Fitness
Lloyd Wilson
Tom’s Upholstery
Kristy Lee Aesthetics
Brantford Comedy Festival
Tipperary Bog
Fairview Drive Pet Hospital
Clarity Mortgages
Terri Bannan
Strodes
Galluppi On West
Becks Printing
Bud Cox
HD Brown Enterprises Ltd.
The Doctor Doctor Band
“Ipod Mix Master” Peter Bohlender

Click on any image for a larger view.  Click on the image again to close it.  You can move forward through the images by clicking “next” at the bottom of each picture.

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