KC’s Art for Arthritis Event Raises $50,000
As MC, people hung on my every word. Sort of.
My third time as MC of the annual Arthritis Foundation “Art for Arthritis” auction was great fun. Kids living with arthritis were paired with local artists to make some incredibly beautiful works of art that were auctioned to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. The event at Studio Dan Meiners was very successful–generous Kansas Citians donated approximately $50,000.
Most people don’t think about children having arthritis but more than 3,000 children in the Kansas City and Western Missouri area have some form of this painful disease. Our Art for Arthritis event teamed 17 local children affected by juvenile arthritis with area artists to spend a summer together creating unique pieces of artwork. The artwork is auctioned off at the end of the summer our gala fundraising event in order to raise money for nationwide arthritis research, as well as local programs and services.
Your humble MC interviews a young artist while auction legends the Nigro Brothers look on.
This event, however, is much more than a fundraiser. Art for Arthritis empowers participants by introducing them to children with similar circumstances who can work together to fight against arthritis by raising awareness about their disease and supporting an agency that advocates on their behalf. It also exposes children to alternative forms of expression through granting them access into the local Kansas City arts community.
Thanks to all of you who supported these brave kids. If you wish to donate, there is still time. Click here. (Thanks to loyal readers Tim and Lisa Lester for their generous donation!) Thanks also to the Arthritis Foundation for asking me back. I loved it!
