Community Partner: Songs For Kids Foundation

Songs For Kids Foundation exists to give kids battling serious illness opportunities to be creative and express themselves through music. This Foundation brings music into hospitals all over the U.S. They also run regular programs in childrens hospitals in five states. Songs for Kids musicians perform mini concerts in hospitals for entire floors of patients as well as making individual bedside visits for kids who are not well enough to leave their rooms. Songs For Kids is not there to just play a couple of songs, provide a distraction and leave; their goal is to form the kinds of meaningful relationships that are necessary to help kids cope with their illnesses through creativity.

Songs For Kids musicians are dedicated artists, trained in hospital procedures, and they dont let illness get in the way of kids having a good time. Theyve played guitars wearing latex gloves and scrubs, sung classic rock anthems from behind surgical masks and provided the soundtrack for physical therapy exercises in rehab gyms.

In addition to hospital performances, Songs For Kids provides opportunities for songwriting and recording to give kids the chance to put their experiences into words and feel a sense of accomplishment. How many people can say theyve written and professionally recorded a song in the midst of medical procedures, chemo, checkups and tests?

Songs For Kids artists have been bringing music into the lives of these amazing kids for ten years, and theyve performed in nearly every childrens hospital in the U.S. This year, the Foundation will be taking that work one step further by launching a one-on-one music mentorship program that will be available to kids both in and out of the hospital. Kids who join the program will work with their own Songs For Kids musician on a dedicated music project. Whether that means songwriting, singing lessons or learning an instrument, it will be exciting to witness and showcase the awesome work they do together. Songs For Kids is honored to rock with the kids who need them most.

One of Songs For Kids largest and most notable fundraising events is their annual 500 Songs For Kids. 500 Songs For Kids takes place every year in Atlanta, GA and features hundreds of volunteer bands and solo artists who perform one of 500 songs over twelve nights. There have also been many famous musicians whove volunteered at 500 Songs for Kids over the years such as Cee-Lo Green, Arrested Development, Butch Walker, Gavin DeGraw, Edwin McCain, Drivin n Cryin, Janelle Monae, Shawn Mullins and the Zac Brown Band, just to name a few. This is the eleventh year for 500 Songs For Kids, each year has a musical theme; this years theme will be the 500 Greatest Feel-Good Songs of All Time. If you are a musician who would like to volunteer to perform at 500 Songs For Kids, visit SongsForKids.org/500SongsForKids for more information and to apply.

500 Songs For Kids Dates & Venues:
March 24-25  Smiths Olde Bar
March 31-April 1  Venkmans
April 7-8  Smiths Olde Bar
April 14-15  Smiths Olde Bar
April 21-22  Venkmans
April 28-29  Smiths Olde Bar
Tickets:  Pay what you want! Thats right, you can pay what you want at each show. Your contribution is appreciated.

1579 Monrow Drive, Suite F-927
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-541-9231
SongsForKids.org