My name is Gil Betz and I am the COO at Metro United Way. This is my first “blog” posting so any comments should take this into consideration.
Before I talk about the exciting events associated with The Karen Gallagher Kennedy Arts Festival, I have to get some things “off my shoulder.” Last night I saw a brief story on Entertainment Tonight (not a show I routinely watch) that caused me to pause and wonder who comes up with this stuff. The story centered on First Lady Michelle Obama and the fact that she has worn sleeveless dresses at least three times. Oh my, how can this be I wondered. This crushing news almost made me take to my bed. I decided then and there that I will not be wearing my sleeveless muscle shirts any longer. The markets will tumble and world peace will escape our grasp…all because of sleeveless dresses! Only in America would we focus on this kind of nonsense.
But what is not nonsense is The Karen Gallagher Kennedy Arts Festival. We decided to change the name of the festival to better reflect the many talents of Karen Gallagher Kennedy. Karen was a long time member of our Marketing and Communications Department, a dedicated community volunteer, a skilled writer, a person who saw the world around her as a work in progress and whose soul embraced you as soon as she smiled and said hello.
Karen’s untimely passing in 2005 from lung cancer is one of those life experiences you do not want to happen. In Karen’s honor, Metro United Way started the Karen Gallagher Kennedy Youth Film Festival in 2006. This year we are renaming the festival to The Karen Gallagher Kennedy Arts Festival and including an essay contest in addition to the video contest. The essay contest is being added to reflect Karen’s writing talent. Also, we are opening the festival to youth from kindergarten through high school. In previous years the festival was only open to high school age youth. These changes will allow all age groups to participate, just as Karen volunteered many hours of service to others, regardless of age.
Here is the scoop about the festival. The LIVE UNITED 3 Word Essay Contest is really easy. All you do is complete this sentence with 3 words. I LIVE UNITED by (add your 3 words). The organization submitting the largest number of 3 word entries will win $300. The contest closes on midnight May 6, 2009. The LIVE UNITED Video Contest is open to individuals and teams who will submit a 30 second PSA (Public Service Announcement) and/or a 3 to 5 minute video on LIVE UNITED. The theme is wide open, so we should have a wide variety of thought provoking and creative entries. The entries will be placed on YouTube and 50% of the overall score will be determined by the number of views each entry receives and the other 50% of the score will be determined by a panel of judges. The contest ends at midnight on May 6, 2009.
We will celebrate all the winners and participants at a gala on May 7, 2009. I’ll write more about this as we get closer.
To enter either contest, use this link: www.metrounitedway.org/kgkaf and select the Karen Gallagher Kennedy Arts Festival tab. You will find a link to the welcome video, rules and deadline dates for each contest.
Now, here is the ask. Please help promote the festival. If you are on MySpace, YouTube, Twitter or other social neighborhood outlets, please spread the word. If you have school age children or know others who do, encourage them to have their schools participate in the essay contest. This is a great class participation activity and spending time thinking about LIVING UNITED is always a great use of time. Entrants to the video contest can always use their cell phone to produce a 30 second PSA video. Video productions do not need to be fancy.
I will keep you updated on the festival and please email me at gil-dot-betz-at-metrounitedway-dot-org if you want to “roll up your sleeves “and help with the festival. Sleeveless shirts and dresses are permitted.
Events
contest, essay, film, Live United, writing, youth
