Performing Hearts

TEENS IN ACTION© with Monica Stokes

Jason and the Performing Hearts is a group of school age kids helping others. Performing Hearts began in 1998, with Jason and a group of his friends who dance, sing and play musical instruments. Their main focus is on the many children stricken with illnesses and disabilities. Most of the activites are conducted at special camps, hospitals and nursing homes.

One of the places that they have visited is Camp Happy Times in Tyler Hill, Pennsylvania. This is a camp for kids who are battling cancer and blood disorders, and is run by The Valerie Fund. CHS (Camp Happy Times) originated in 1983 and host approximately 200 children ranging in age from 5-20.

Performing Hearts activities fall into three major categories:

Volunteer community service functions – Performing Hearts primary goal is to arrange for performing artists to serve as volunteer workshop leaders, class teachers and performers for social service agencies and other organizations operated by a state or local government . The activities of the Performing Hearts are conducted by volunteers from the community including performing artists, and any other interested individuals. Those ‘other interested’ individuals are occasionally teachers, friends and family members of the performing artists. As a great number of the volunteers are students, most of the events are conducted on weekend days and during the summer.

Education and Motivation – Performing Hearts is committed to promoting, encouraging, and educating the public regarding the performing arts and its role as therapy for people disabled with mental and physical impairments and serious health issues. Educational and motivational sessions are conducted throughout the year.

Funding - Performing Hearts funding comes from three principle sources: (1) Contributions from the general public, predominantly individuals close to performing arts activities; (2) Contributions from corporate sponsors in the form of cash and supplies for the community service events; and (3) Performing Hearts conducted fundraising events such as annual golf events or special performances provide additional funding in ticket sales proceeds and the sale of donated materials through event-based auctions.