July 2023: Uplift! A Celebration of Children

SWWA Center for the Arts has teamed up with other community change makers to produce “Uplift!” -- a summer day of giving that will bridge the gap for many children between school years at a time when it’s most needed. Children ages 8 - 12 from Boys and Girls Clubs, Friends of the Children, and local shelters will be paired with a shopping buddy and given a gift card to purchase clothes, upcoming school supplies, and more at a local Walmart. They will experience the joy of music with Beacock Music’s “Musical Instrument Petting Zoo,” receive free art supplies through Artstra’s Creative Relief Clark County, create a collaborative art installation to be displayed at City Hall, and meet the Star Wars cast from Star Wars Oregon / Cloud City Garrison. The Clark County Food Bank will be on hand to distribute food-filled backpacks to the children and present a healthy snack “demonstration” station.

“Uplift!” is a shopping and arts activity event where children are paired up with a shopping buddy to buy school supplies and clothes, toys and other goods for themselves and their families. Other shopping events around the nation are typically done during the holidays. However, children facing circumstantial hardship tend to suffer more during the summer months for several reasons: For the more than 22 million children who depend on school breakfast and lunch programs, summer vacation means worrying about when they’ll eat next. Furthermore, for many children -- especially children of low-income families -- summer can be a season of boredom, inactivity, and isolation. This incredible partnership between Clark County’s powerhouse nonprofits means children have the opportunity to shop for themselves while taking time out to simply be a kid through fun arts activities.

We need shoppers! Would you like to be a shopping "buddy" for a child? Sign up HERE.

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It really does "take a village" to make something like this possible. We simply couldn't do this without the help of generous supporters throughout the community. You can support this timely and relevant project with a donation of any size; you will be joining the individuals, local businesses, and nonprofits whose partnerships with us are the key components upon which the "Arts for a Cause" initiative operates. We thank you for your support!