Broadway Tunes and Helping Kids June 5th

"a network of homes where siblings can live together, as family while in foster care"

As an outgoing board member of Redmond Chorale, I can say that one of my favorite tasks as “President” has been learning about other non-profits in the Greater Eastside area. Recently I sat down with the founders of Sibling House, Michael and Lynne Gaskill, and was so inspired by what they do!

In the early nineties, as foster parents, they realized that there was a need within the foster care system in Washington State to provide support and resources for foster parents who wanted to take on the challenge of taking in siblings.   In looking around at the resources available to support these families, they realized that there was a gap.  Thus Sibling House was born in 1997. 

What is Sibling House?  It is a network of 293 foster families that are willing to take in siblings.  This network shares resources to provide basic needs of the foster children in their care.  Sometimes it financial.  Many times it is basic practical needs.  Sometimes it is newer foster parents needing the guidance and support of those who have the experience.  Sometimes it is the support of having a special event or get together.

As Redmond Chorale has supported many non-profits over the years, one of my favorite questions to ask is, “What will our modest concert proceeds gift of $500.00 do for your organization.”  

For Sibling House the response was:

•         Provide a bunk bed and dresser for a new foster family

•     Provide gift cards for teens in foster care to buy their own clothes  —frequently when kids enter the system due to some traumatic event in their lives, they come into their new home with the clothes on their backs.  A gift card to Old Navy helps teens to be able to pick their own clothes and feel good about themselves in their school settings.

•          Help pay for training for foster parents

•         Buy new tires for a foster parent’s car so that they can continue to provide transportation
•        Help pay the expenses of a yearly holiday party where each child of a    foster family is given a gift of their very own.

The list goes on, but these stick out in my mind.

For more information about Sibling House, please visit their website at siblinghouse.org.

 And come join me at our Summer Concert where we will be featuring Broadway Hits.  From Rodgers and Hammerstein classics to songs of modern hits such as Rent and Wicked.  Fun for the whole family! Proceeds to benefit Sibling House.

Sunday night, June 5^th 7 pm  Meadowbrook Church in Redmond,WA

Tickets $16.00 for adults