welcome FYI readers

I'd like to welcome those of you who have found your way to this blog via the FYI section of today's Kansas City Star. You're here to learn more about the 5th Annual Change the Truth Friendraiser/Fundraiser, and you've come to the right place!

The event is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

It will take place from 7 - 10 PM Friday, June 29th at the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center, 2012 Baltimore.

7:00 - Shane Evans will take the stage along with singers from the KC Boys and Girls Choirs

7:30 - short documentary film by Lynne Melcher about Change the Truth and its current work at an orphanage in Uganda

8:00 - The BCR Allstar Band takes the stage

Throughout the evening there will be silent auctions for: 

Unique and fabulous banana fiber dolls made by the children at the orphanage and adorned by area artists, including Jason Pollen, Miki Baird, Archie Scott Gobber, Marie Mason, Marcus Cain, Nedra Bonds, Allan Winkler, Anne Austin Pearce, Susan White, Joe Lorusso, Lisa Lala/Wil Lala and Tom Corbin.

Beautiful framed drawings and paintings by the children who live at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage in the east African country of Uganda. These children have lost one or both parents to war or disease. There are 180 children who live at the orphanage; for the past five years, they have depended on Change the Truth to provide them with financial assistance for food, school fees, medical care and various special projects. The sale of their own artwork empowers these talented, deserving children by giving them the profound opportunity to bring in some of that support themselves.

Items that have been donated by caring KC businesses and artists, including gift cards to many fine restaurants, gift certificates for hair and spa treatments, tickets for the Chiefs and Sporting KC, gorgeous jewelry, a winery tour and tasting, original artwork and even teeth whitening and karate lessons!

There will be a raffle for an Apple iPad. Tickets are $10... 3 for $25.

Munchies, a cash bar and valet parking round out the rest of the evening.

Now that you've (hopefully) cleared your calendar for Friday night, please take a few minutes to view some of the dolls and children's artwork on the preceding posts. To see the entire collection of dolls, simply click here.

To read all about Change the Truth, click here.

It's a fun event. Great art, great music, great people, great cause! Hope to see you Friday night!!