Help Us Reach Our Goal!
In honor of Zzak G.’s birthday on Sunday, June 5 and as we celebrate our 5-year anniversary, we are asking you to consider making a donation of $5.00 or more during the month of June. Our goal is to fundraise $2,500 or more to help support our summer programming. Just the cost of one latte can make a difference.
Back in 2017 we started the foundation in Ocean County, NJ in honor of our Dad, Zzak to help connect children between the ages of 7-18 who meet the financial needs requirements to ongoing lessons in dance, acting, instrumental music, and vocal instruction. Now, we are funding children in 9 counties. As more families continue to find out about our programming and our footprint continues to grow, growing our funding is more imperative than ever.
We are unique as we place students in local approved performing arts studios close to a student's home. These students can be funded for multiple years. Currently, we have multiple siblings taking lessons as well. It is so amazing to see them perform together. Here is a video of two brothers performing at our Applaud & Give Back Concert - AOK Let Them Dream Big Concert featuring Two Funded Students - YouTube
Lessons are provided weekly for the entire school year and/or a summer program. It is important to note that through our programming we are supporting local businesses by placing children in local performing arts programs. We also fund teachers to go into existing community organizations like The Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.
Now, through our Applaud & Give Back Program, we are able to continue to fund young adults up until the age of 22. So many other programs end at the age of 18, and we want young adults to know they can count on us as they continue on with their studies or decide to figure out their next chapter in life. In return they must donate 40 hours of time a year to the foundation and gain work experience. We know that a constant in these student's lives is truly vital as many are dealing with multiple challenges.
Lastly, our sought-after AOK Performance Group also sponsored by Grunin Foundation is our ‘kids helping kids’ audition only vocal group that performs at community events to bring inspiration, entertainment and our mission out into the community.
To learn more about the Zzak G. Applaud Our Kids Foundation, please go to www.applaudourkids.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @applaudourkids.
We hope that you will consider making a donation today that will help a child feel supported. For many our program is truly a lifeline.
We thank you so much for your support!
Jodi Grinwald & Melissa Grinwald