Care For Kids
Silver Dollar City Foundation's
Care For Kids Targets Needs of Area Kids
The Silver Dollar City Foundation's Care For Kids program, launched in 2006, seeks to meet the physical, mental and emotional needs of kids in the Stone and Taney county communities. Care For Kids works through a unique partnership with the school districts and churches serving Stone & Taney counties. Along with gifting $100,000 per year to meet kids' physical needs, Care For Kids addresses mental and emotional needs through mentoring programs, where the schools match kids who need extra attention with mentors who care.
Physical needs -- kids without coats, gloves, adequate clothing, school supplies or eyeglasses -- are a primary focus. "The first priority of Care For Kids is targeting physical needs, because if a child is hungry or cold, if a child can't see the board, he's distracted in the classroom and can't learn. So we want to take care of those physical needs first," said Silver Dollar City Foundation President John Baltes.
“We can take of the physical needs. They may be eyeglasses, jackets, or school pictures...even the smallest things make a big difference in a child's life. It's that classic line that says, 'Preach the gospel daily and use words only when necessary.' That action speaks louder than anything else could. And if you've been impacted that directly by the love of Christ, it lasts forever.”
- John Baltes, Silver Dollar City Foundation President
To meet physical needs, the Foundation has given funds to the schools each year, this year alone giving over $130,000 to 14 area school districts and four area youth ministries, all part of the Foundation's half-a-million dollar commitment to kids over a five-year period. The goal is to meet areas of need that fall through the cracks of existing resources and programs. Over the past two years, Care For Kids funds have helped provide wheelchairs, clothing, eyeglasses, dental care, food, emergency supplies following fires and tornadoes, and even helped save a child's life by providing gas money to a family in need of specialty medical care outside the area.
In 2007, Care For Kids added in-school mentoring programs to support the emotional and mental needs of kids. Mentoring options include "Book Buddies," where volunteers read books with students who may need some extra help or attention, and "Lunch Buddies," where volunteers have lunch with students once a week. The school administrators choose or design programs to meet needs at their individual schools.
To facilitate the mentoring programs, the Foundation works with area churches, training volunteers to take part in programs the schools identify as important to their individual needs. Over 120 volunteers from 61 area churches were certified through the training program and worked in the school districts during the 2007 school year.
“Care For Kids mentors have helped in a lot of ways. We have lots of students who maybe they're from a single parent home, or maybe they just need someone to talk to or spend time with...It really makes the kids feel special.”
- Pam Hazell, Branson Elementary School Counselor
School administrators say they could use hundreds more mentors, who provide positive role models, assist kids having trouble keeping up with schoolwork, and help build self-esteem in kids, Baltes said. Because of the positive response, the Foundation is expanding those programs this year and putting out the call for more volunteers.
"And next, finding that a child who is hurting often has a family hurting as well, we're expanding our focus over the long term to also include family mentoring," Baltes said. The Foundation is developing programs for family mentors which involves additional training with seven area family outreach ministries.
The Silver Dollar City Attractions help support the Foundation with funds raised through an ongoing ticket donation program offered to partner businesses and tourism-related neighbors of the Silver Dollar City properties. Every dollar generated through this program, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, goes back to help children of the Ozarks through programs and grants.
Training sessions for volunteer mentors are scheduled for September 23 and October 21. For more information or to sign up for one of these training sessions, call (417) 336-7058.
"The vision of the Silver Dollar City Foundation is to serve God by bringing families closer together, and through our combined efforts with schools, churches and ministries, we will Care For Kids for many years to come," Baltes said. Anyone interested in more information about Care For Kids should call him at (417) 336-7077 or Click Here to email.
Care For Kids targets kids in 14 school districts serving Stone and Taney Counties, plus provides support for Youth Ministries Young Life of Stone County, K-Life of Stone County, K-Life of Taney County, and the Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch.
The Silver Dollar City Attractions are part of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation and include Branson properties of Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, Showboat Branson Belle and White Water. The Silver Dollar City Foundation, which administers the program, has been in existence for more than 10 years, providing grants to support youth and adult ministry programs, marital and parenting seminars, and helping to meet needs within Stone and Taney Counties.
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me...”
- Mark 9:37
Testimonials
“Grown-ups should be lunch buddies because kids like me wouldn't feel lonely at lunch when they don't have friends.”
-Third Grade Student, Branson Elementary School
“I have seen dramatic improvements in students in reading comprehension and mathematics from having a mentor. One of my below-grade-level students improved in reading to grade level and exceeded in math to above grade level. The one-on-one also builds bonds of trust and friendship between the student and mentor. The examples that the mentors set of selfless devotion to the students gives the students a feeling that the community cares about them and their education.”
-Fourth grade teacher, Blue Eye Elementary School
“My mentor helped students with their work and got to know them on a very personal level. By the middle of the year, my kids were begging our mentor to go to lunch and sit with them, simply because they loved being around her. Not only was this a great idea for the kids, it also let me help the kids who really need it.”
-Third Grade Teacher, Blue Eye Elementary School
“It makes me happy when she comes because mom can't come here and I might be the only one sometimes whose parents aren't at school. She always brightens my day.”
-Fourth Grade Student, Branson Elementary School
“My mentor, Mr. Ken, is a lifesaver in my classroom. Not only is it helpful to have another set of hands, he is great with my students. Mr. Ken helps the students who are behind in their school work catch up with the class. He also helps the students who are defiant and won't do their school work. Mr. Ken has a way with students in getting them to do what is needed even if they don't want to. Finally, Mr. Ken helps the students who need that extra time reading or working on items that are difficult for them. Overall, the mentoring program is really helpful and such a blessing to have.”
-Third Grade Teacher, Blue Eye Elementary School
