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Silver Dollar City Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Supporting Children and Families In the Ozarks
October 13, 2022
2022 White Glove Announced for Friday, November 4th The Eve of An Old Time Christmas $6.5 million in Contributions Makes an Impact on the Lives of Children
(Branson, MO, 2022) Silver Dollar City’s special benefit event, The White Glove, on sale now, gives guests the opportunity to be the first to see the spectacular features of the park’s An Old Time Christmas while helping kids of Stone and Taney Counties. The White Glove takes place on Friday, November 4, beginning at 5:00 p.m., with proceeds benefiting the Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Care For Kids program.
Active for a quarter of a century (founding year 1997), the Silver Dollar City Foundation has channeled $6.5 million dollars into Stone and Taney Counties of Southwest Missouri through programs such as Care For Kids and other grant donations. The Silver Dollar City Foundation continues developing new outreach programs to help the Ozarks’ communities in these challenging times when the number of families and young people in need continues to grow.
The White Glove
A Rehearsal Eve of An Old Time Christmas, The White Glove, gives only 400 guests a first-look at the all new Broadway-style production, Coming Home For Christmas and the Christmas classic, A Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Christmas Carolers, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, an 8-story Christmas Tree and 6.5 million lights will illuminate the night during the Christmas season. The event also includes a holiday feast with all the trimmings. Silver Dollar City Foundation Director John Baltes says, “White Glove is an opportunity to donate to a very good cause – our regional kids!”
Care For Kids
Care For Kids funds go to 14 school districts in Stone and Taney Counties. Specific use of the dollars is up to the educators who know best what kids need. The purpose of the annual program is to help meet the physical needs of students for medical, dental, vision, clothing, essentials, school supplies and many other life-related areas. Teachers and counselors are encouraged to participate, through the superintendents’ offices, by applying for dollars to meet important needs. Upwards of 70,000 children have been helped over the years through Care For Kids.
Parents as Teachers
Beginning in 2018, the Foundation expanded the grant program to include support of area schools through Parents As Teachers (PAT). With a focus on early childhood, PAT is a home visit program that builds parental confidence and skills, so that the families can better prepare their children to thrive and be ready to learn. Trained “parent educators” encourage parent-child interaction and learning skills. The PAT program has four levels: personal visits, group connections, screenings and resource referrals. These components provide families, who have kids from prenatal to kindergarten, support so that the children are better prepared to reach full potential when they begin school.
Other Community Support
The Foundation is currently partnering with Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson to increase funding with the congregation expressing generous support and belief in the programs.
The 501c3 private foundation continues a heartfelt commitment to provide grants that support youth, ministry programs and projects designed to strengthen families. “Our organization would not have been possible without all of the hard work and dedication from our community and wonderful volunteers. Twenty five years ago, the Foundation set out to improve the lives of those in need, and today we continue to do just that,” said Baltes.
The White Glove event is limited to 400 participants
Tickets are available by calling 417.336.7100
Silver Dollar City’s acclaimed festival An Old Time Christmas runs Nov. 5 – Dec. 30
Learn more about Care For Kids at www.silverdollarcityfoundation.com
Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Care For Kids Makes A Greater Impact On The Lives of Children
October 20, 2021
25 years of serving celebrated and over $2 million donated
(Branson, Mo Fall 2021) Recognizing a quarter-century of service to the region, Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Care For Kids program is announcing 2021 marks more than $2 million donated to area kids in need. As the number of families and young people in need continues to grow in these challenging times in the counties of Stone and Taney, the Foundation’s goal of meeting the many needs of area children facing hardships is increasingly necessary. Families receive medical care, clothing, essentials and some extras.
“These funds allow educators to observe a child in need, like the girl who is too afraid to ask for a prom dress because she knows her family can’t afford it. The boy who misses out on a field trip because his family had limited funds. The kid who could make the team, but can’t afford new shoes. The girl who wants to play an instrument, but knows her parents don’t have the means to allow her. These funds give kids an opportunity to fit in, learn and experience more in life.”
John Baltes, President, Silver Dollar City Foundation
Currently, the Foundation is collaborating with Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson to increase the funding distributed to each of the 14 school district in the two counties. Collectively in this school year, more than 5,000 students have directly benefited from the program, with schools spending $124,687.00 in the following categories:
- Rent/utilities/fuel $42,027
- School supplies $26,364
- Coats/clothing/fuel $19,270
- Vision/dental/medical $16,489
- Food at school/home $11,110
- School activities $8,011
- Misc $1083
In addition to the increase in donations and participants, the Foundation recognizes a 25-year anniversary as a 501c3 private foundation. Created in December 1996, the Foundation sets out to provide grants to support youth and adult ministry programs and projects strengthening families. “Our organization would not have been possible without all of the hard work and dedication from our community and wonderful volunteers. 25 years ago the Foundation set out to improve the lives of those in need, and today we continue to do just that,” said Baltes.
Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Care For Kids Assists Over 5,000 Students in 2018-2019
Branson, MO
August 22, 2019
In the 2018-2019 school year, Care For Kids assisted over 5,000 students in Stone and Taney Counties by giving time, attention, care and resources. The Silver Dollar City Foundation provided funding for:
- Nearly 1,600 children with clothes, coats and shoes
- Over 800 children with essential school supplies
- 900 children with food at school or home
- Nearly 600 children and their families with rent, utilities, fuel or auto repair
- Over 800 children with mentor programs and life skills
- Approximately 300 children with miscellaneous needs
To date, the Care For Kids program has assisted over 45,000 kids in Stone and Taney Counties. The donation amounts to nearly $1.65 million over the past 13 years.