MET2 Poway - Theater and the arts for kids

UPDATE: 04/19/2008
We raised $660 at the parents meeting today at rehearsel. We are hoping to raise more this next week.

UPDATE: 04/18/2008
Donate $1,000 of my own personal money. Submitted for $1,000 matching thru Intuit.

GOAL:
-Fundraise and collect money (Which Intuit will match dollar for dollar).
-Get $2K in grant money from Intuit

TOTAL = $5,000

OVERVIEW:

MET2 is a theater group here in Southern California which promotes and funds the arts for kids (1st – 12th … adults too). It is wonderful the way they put these performances together for the children and allow the schools in the areas to bring their kids to these extremely professional performances and get kids of all ages excited about the arts. Thru these performances, MET2 gets other kids involved since the group allows anyone who wants to be a part to perform. They also fund underprivileged kids who can’t afford to participate. They have a website with some information here (http://www.met2.org).

I have been working with the MET2 group for about a year now and have had a wonderful time getting back on stage. I started acting in elementary school and have continued thru high school and beyond. I originally started going to MET2 so that my kids could be exposed to theater. At first it was a little uncomfortable working alongside kids since I am over 30 now, but I quickly found that there were other adults involved. I guess that me being a big kid at heart also helped. Recently, my kids haven’t always been able to be involved because of sports or other activities but I have continued every chance I get. I have enjoyed my time with this great group of people. They are a special breed which is hard to find in this world. There is a lot of sacrifice of time and expense on their part and it is admirable.

My first play was Peter Pan where I was assigned the role of Mr. Darling. After settling in with the group, I “challenged” for the role of Captain Hook since it really looked like a lot of fun. Besides, who wouldn’t like chance to play the bad guy… :)

The next play I did with MET2 was Annie. There were a number of highlights in this play one of which was Kelsie (my daughter) played one of the orphan extras. It was a lot of fun to be up on stage with her and be able to point at her and single her out of the crowd of orphans. I also enjoyed learning my lines with my sister who has been in the arts for as long as I can remember though on the movie side more than theater (Thanks Mrs. Fudge). There was one last aspect to Daddy Warbucks which hit home as well. It reminded me a lot of my niece Roni and what she has been thru this past year or two. I think we really connected while she stayed with us and the role of Daddy Warbucks was a wonderful outlet for those emotions.

Here are a few pics from Annie:
http://jen.cloes.net/2007/11/annie-review.html

Here are a few vides from their current production of “Big River”: http://chad.cloes.net/2008/03/15/couples-dance-big-river-met2-poway/
http://chad.cloes.net/2008/03/15/how-blest-we-are-rehearsel-met2-poway/

Recently the MET2 organization has found themselves under a bit of a financial crunch along with the schools in California. When the school budgets get cut, so do the funds used for field trips which directly affect MET2’s ability to get the kids to these performances. I decided on a high target because I guess I am always shooting high when it comes to the goals I set.

I work for a great company, Intuit, who will match dollar for dollar any amount of money I can donate, so I am asking that whomever can help, please do. I think I already halfway there…

Money, I am currently working to get:

About 2K from the “We Care and Give Back” org at work

Volunteer match (Intuit will match monetarily any hours worked volunteering for a group)

Donation matching (Intuit will match any money I donate to them dollar for dollar)