EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Academy marking 10th year with fundraising awards gala
CANTON − EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Academy will hold its annual fundraising and awards gala Friday while also celebrating 10 years as an organization.
The gala will be 6 to 10 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Canton.
The event begins with a reception and a cash bar followed by a dinner buffet at 7 p.m.; awards ceremony and performances at 8 p.m.; and dancing at 9 p.m. Musical performances also will be part of the event, including a pianist and violinist, as well as by the EN-RICH-MENT students.
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Money raised will be used for EN-RICH-MENT's operating expenses, said Betty Smith, the organization's executive director. The nonprofit group provides music education and arts programming for children in Canton and throughout Stark County. Programs include theater, dance, violin and guitar instruction, cooking classes and the Drumline Academy.
EN-RICH-MENT served students from 55 schools this past summer, Smith said.
"And we're growing and we are reaching more (children)," she said. "The need is bigger."
More full-time staffing is needed to work with the children, Smith said, noting that she is limited to three part-time employees, including two college students, in addition to herself. A volunteer driver is also needed to pick up children for programs after school and on Saturday as well as in the summer, Smith said.
EN-RICH-MENT also holds an African American Arts Festival in downtown Canton in the summer.
The gala's title sponsor is the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps in Canton.
Awards also will be presented at Friday's gala to those who standout in the community in the arts. Two students who have been involved with the group for nine years also will be recognized.
"I think there's so much talent out there, and they're unsung heroes, so they need to be recognized," Smith said. "I believe in giving people flowers while they can smell them. I always say that. If you die and then everybody's bringing you flowers, you're not there to smell them."
Tickets are $75 per person and available at https://www.eventbrite.com/ by searching for EN-RICH-MENT in Canton. There will also be prize raffles at the event.
DoubleTree hotel is at 320 Market Ave. S. Tickets also can be reserved by calling 330-546-7724.
Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com
On Twitter @ebalintREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: EN-RICH-MENT Arts Academy holding fundraiser, celebrating 10 years
