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 & Delicatessen of 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

Help us spread the word. Click on the social logos below to share this page and these pictures on Facebook, Twitter or by email.  We also encourage your comments below and your subscription to email notifications.  Please SUBSCRIBE NOW and show your support for SKIP.

Read about our programs here.

We need your help to spread the word.  Please click on the social icons at the bottom of this article and share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or via email.  It’s better to have fun with friends so get a group together and get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Call 519-512-0490 or use the form below to order tickets. Tickets are just $30 per person and the event is cash bar.

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.

SKIP-A-BEAT DANCE AND FUNDRAISER
Saturday, February 12th
Quality Inn Suites
664 Colborne Street, Brantford
Join us for cocktails from 7:30

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Applefest in St, George, Ontario.  SKIP enjoyed lots of attention at the popular two day annual festival.

The rain held off and both Saturday and Sunday were perfect days for the St. George Applefest event.  The SKIP crew was out in full force, promoting the organization and fund raising through the sale of SKIP promotional products, candy kabobs, cookies and a draw for a gift basket.  Congratulations to  the winners of the basket that included SKIP promotional products and a gift certificate for La Cantinella Ristorante Italiano, a wonderful Italian restaurant located on Main Street.  Thank you to La Cantinella for donating the gift certificate and providing SKIP with a wonderful fund raising item.

Another big thank you to the Sugar House.  The bakery donated cookies to our cause and the delicious treat was a big hit with festival goers.

The best part of the weekend was the wonderful people who took time to listen to our message and learn about the program.  Our program is operated with the generous support of compassionate groups and individuals and many stopped to make donations, buy our SKIP promotional items and hear about the incredible work undertaken by the volunteers that make up SKIP.

Thank you again to everyone that took a few minutes from their Applefest weekend to understand the value of SKIP and to support us with their donations and caring.

This article appeared in the January 21st Brant News -

by Lauren Baron

Seniors and Kids Intergeneration Programs can now take steps to become a registered, not-for-profit charitable organization, thanks to a competition sponsored by coffee company Maxwell House.

The Brantford-based organization, known as SKIP, recently won $10,000 as part of the Maxwell House “brew some good competition,” a competition designed to help individuals and organizations improve their communities.

“It’s always been a goal for us, but we wanted to keep the programs running,” said Liz Martorano, SKIP founder and chairperson. “In order to sustain SKIP we’ve had to dedicate all of our money to transportation.

“This was a really neat stepping stone for SKIP. It was monumental in giving us the ability to move forward.”
Hundreds of groups across Canada were nominated in the contest and SKIP was one of only 17 organizations chosen to receive a donation.

“We were among some amazing recipients and what an honour it was to know that we’re headed in the right directions,” Martorano said.

Martorano said it was a “revelation” to hear that Maxwell House thought SKIP was a worthy cause. She hopes the program can continue to grow and eventually branch outside of Brant to the rest of the province and country.

SKIP brings elementary school students together with seniors for their different programs: school visitations, mentoring hears and music enrichment.

The school visitation program brings junior elementary school students to senior nursing care facilities to inspire companionship and understanding.
Mentoring hearts has the students learning about career paths from the seniors.

Students put on weekend concerts for seniors as part of the music enrichment program. The students in Shannon fleet’s Grade 4 and 5 Class at Paris Central Public School visit seniors at Park Lane terrace in Paris once a month as part of the school visitation program.

“I like going there and having fun with the seniors and to talk to them,” said 10 year-old student Dylan Clark. “I think the seniors have lots of fun when we go there because when I go there I see smiles on their faces.”

Having a chance to meet with and understand the lives of seniors is really important said 10- year-old Darcie Brownell.
“I think it’s important because some people don’t get along with their grandparents because they are different, but when they go to SKIP they have fun and maybe realize ‘I should give my grandparents another chance,’ Brownell said.

The program is beneficial to the seniors as well. Tina Degiallo, a senior with the SKIP program who visits Banbury Heights School, says she looks forward to the first Thursday of every month when she gets to see the students.

“I really enjoy it very much,” Delgiallo said.
:”I lost my husband two years ago and I was so sad and they brought a smile back to my face.”

With the money from Maxwell House Martorano hopes that SKIOP can continue to deliver what she calls a “vital” program to both she seniors and students.

“I’m just hoping that what we’re doing with SKIP will make a difference and make society more tolerant of becoming old,” Martorano said. “It gives kids the wisdom on how to deal with aging