Joe Bushey introduced our speakers Dan Berezny and Chris Daly from the CANUSA Games. For 57 years the CANUSA Games have provided the youth of our area an opportunity to take part in an international friendship Games between Hamilton, Ontario and Flint, Michigan, USA.

The Games are an Olympic style competition that began in 1958 with only 200 athletes competing in 7 sport areas. CANUSA currently brings together over 1400 athletes in 16 sports.

The venue for the games is alternated between Hamilton, Ontario and Flint, MI USA each year. Each competing “home team” athlete is required to host an athlete from the other country during the games. The CANUSA games cost approximately $150,000 to host and $180,000 to send athletes to Hamilton.

Recently, the main sponsor, City of Flint Schools, informed the games it would no longer be able to continue its sponsorship of $70,000 of those costs and replacement funds must be raised. The games primarily benefit the youth of this county who are under-served and may not be able to afford travel leagues.

For more information, the CANUSA game’s website is canusagames.com.

Reminders

• Board Meeting 6 PM February 12th at the Bridge
• Big Brothers Big Sisters team signup sheet is available for the event scheduled for February 19th at 7:00 p.m
• In lieu of a speaker there will be an open meeting on February 12th
• Ken Cullen Sr has asked for the group to keep his family in your thoughts as his daughter-in-law has back surgery

Respectfully Yours in Optimism,

Kim Banat

Stephanie Eastman introduced our speaker Jarret Haynes, executive director, for the Whiting. The Whiting is located at 1241 E Kearsley St in Flint and provides facilities, programs and services to promote and support the presentation of the best regional, national and international performing artists. Each year, The Whiting presents Broadway, music, comedy, theater, dance and much more throughout its season. Jarret discussed some of the upcoming performances the Whiting will be hosting which include Anything Goes February 13th-14th, Sister Act February 28th through March 1st, Macbeth March 13th, and Mamma Mia May 29th through 30th.

Jarret recommended the following video:

Jarret spoke about the decline of Music and Art education in the school systems and how important it is for children to be exposed to the performing arts through live performances. He spoke about how the Whiting works in cooperation with all Genesee County Schools to ensure local children receive this exposure. He also spoke about the special relationship the Whiting has with the City of Flint schools and how profound of an effect the performing arts can have on disadvantaged children. Overall, he pointed out that a theater offering live performances can enhance a community making it more vibrant.

Jarret encouraged everyone to support the Whiting and to come and see at least one live performance this year. For more information, the Whiting’s website is http://thewhiting.com.

Reminders

• The Big Brothers Big Sisters team signup sheet is available for the event scheduled for February 19th at 7:00 p.m.
• Board Meeting 6 PM February 19th at the Bridge

Respectfully Yours in Optimism,

Kim Banat