Photo Flash: Broadway Kids Care Halloween Festival

Broadway Kids Care (BKC), the new organization of theater kids for kids (and others), hosted its first Halloween festival this past Saturday afternoon, October 20 (5-7PM).  Kids from such Broadway shows as Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, Grey Gardens, The Little Mermaid, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang converged on Spanky's BBQ (the unofficial headquarters for BKC events) between matinee and evening performances for dinner and to assemble Halloween pails for the children of Freedom House NYC and its adjacent facility, Secret Garden.

Founded earlier this year by Kelly Gonda, President of East of Doheny Productions, BKC brings together the children from current and past Broadway shows, affording them the opportunity to perform community service and, in the process, instill a strong philanthropic sensibility and foster a sense of community among the young actors and their families. BKC's commitment to Freedom House - a New York City shelter for disabled women and children who are victims of domestic violence - began in April when the kids filled dozens of Easter baskets with treats and presented them to the children at Freedom House. BKC's support of Freedom House is based in the unique services the shelter provides: it is the only shelter in the U.S. that is completely handicapped accessible, offering in-house day care, psychiatrist, occupational therapy specialist and a nurse on staff. 

In the coming months, BKC will launch other projects and will team up with its grown-up cousins at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on various philanthropic activities.  BKC's dream is to become a nationwide organization, and ultimately, a global one.

For more information about Broadway Kids Care, visit their website at www.bwaykidscare.org. For more information about Freedom House, please call (212) 677-6668 or visit www.bflnyc.org

Photos courtesy Broadway Kids Care