Donate
The BAAS Entertainment Gala is supporting two wonderful charities. If you would like to make an additional donation to these organizations. Please click the "Donate" buttons below. Every dollar counts!
Chelsea's Charity
As you may know, I'm a strong advocate and lover of the arts. Having dabbled in all aspects, except dance (unless you include shaking my thing at a house music party, LOL), Chelsea's Charity grew out of the need to help children with their mental health expression via art. Chelsea, being an avid artist, realized the calming effect creating art had over mental well being and began a mission to get art supplies and even art lessons to children around the country, who might suffer with coping with today's stresses, a way to express their feelings.
I first heard of Chelsea's Charity through my sister, Tracy Watson, who is good friends with Chelsea's parents, Charnay Phaire and Candy Barriteau Phaire. She found it hard to believe that Chelsea and my daughter, Indigo, didn't know each other since they both were the same age, on competitive swim teams, and attended Danbury Public Schools. She informed me of the charity that Chelsea formed at the tender age of ten. I immediately became on a mission to find this extraordinary young lady, because I agreed that Indigo and Chelsea should become friends. Loving the mission, Indigo and I donated coats and art supplies to the charity.
Then COVID hit and it was Indigo's first year in Middle School and the kids were on remote learning. One day while checking on Indigo, to make sure she was paying attention in class, I heard the name Chelsea. I looked at the screen to notice that it was the girl my sister told me about a year prior. Indigo and she shared several classes together and quickly became great friends without any help from any of the adults. It was meant to be. So not only is this charity near and dear to my heart for its mission; but I now consider Chelsea and her family a part of mine.
The Ana Grace Project
The Ana Grace Project is a charity near and dear to my heart. Ana Grace was a beautiful and spirited young lady whose life was cut way too short during the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. This senseless act of violence outraged the whole nation, me included. Recently I have been looking for ways to give back to my community and the Ana Grace Project was suggested. I initially was embarrassed that I didn't know anything about this wonderful charity; but once I heard about their mission, I was hooked. What better way to give back to the community than by supporting a group that is finding new and inventive ways to stop gun violence. Two simple words say it all "Love Wins"! The "Love Wins" movement of The Ana Grace Project recognizes that all children/families have stories and every story has value. They believe that all children and families can succeed with proper supports - and healthy relational networks are essential. Through partnering with schools, professional development, and music/arts initiatives, The Ana Grace Project reaches thousands of children, families, and providers in education, medicine, mental health/social services, and the private sector. Love wins. It also saves lives.
