
This weekend, your tipsy, off-key rendition of “Livin’ on a Prayer” may not only inspire your legions of fans to flick their BICs in unison, it can help the hundreds of St. Louis children waiting for forever homes.
On Saturday, March 12, professional athletes, local celebrities and karaoke superstars will descend on the Champions Club at Busch Stadium for the sixth annual O’Karaoke event to benefit The Adoption Exchange.
According to Katie Gaines, development associate for the organization, “We provide families support before, during and after the adoption occurs. For children, we utilize various mediums to recruit families who adopt. There are currently 600 children in the St. Louis metro needing to be adopted.”
During O’Karaoke, you’ll hear special guests belt out your favorite karaoke tunes (“Summer Nights,” anyone?) and have the opportunity to make a donation to bribe your friends to hit the stage. The evening also includes food, drinks and both live and silent auctions.
O’Karaoke is not only an important fundraiser for The Adoption Exchange, it’s a way to spread awareness about the need for loving adoptive parents in St. Louis.
“When individuals think about adoption, they often think of babies, and older youth are often overlooked,” said Grimes. “It is important for folks to know about the needs of the kids that are right here in our neighborhoods and schools.”
To purchase O’Karaoke tickets for $75 each, visit www.adoptex.org or call 314-291-3313.
And be sure to sing a little “Ring of Fire” for me.
By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
Your child is old enough to start kindergarten, are they ready? Are you? At this special presentation, both you and your child will get a brief overview of what is expected before your child even enters the classroom. You'll also receive a free backpack and school supplies. Registration is required.
Visit The Magic House for Toddler Time, a special early-morning program for toddlers. Children age 1-4 can take part in exhibits and exclusive interactive activities designed just for little ones. There are new themes every week!
Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym is an opportunity for any child to have supervised free play in the gym. They can work on existing skills, try something new, or simply play around. It is completely up to them! Open Gym is open to both members and non-members ages 12 and under.
Learn ways to nurture your baby's development and make new friends in a relaxed, supportive environment at Baby & Me, a free class offered at the St. Louis County Library. Baby & Me classes are for parents and caregivers with pre-walking infants ages 0-12 months.
Kids can meet a friendly CHAMP Therapy Dog and read to them to enhance their reading skills!