140 year of Shriners

140 year of Shriners

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

9/11 Flight Attendant Inspired to Serve

Car-ni-Fair at Shriners Hospital for Children-LA

It started with one woman’s belief that helping kids learn to read would make a difference. A flight attendant flying for one of the major airline carriers on 9/11, LeeAnn Butler-Owens was prompted by the loss of friends and coworkers to examine her part in making the world a better place. By combining her interest in early childhood development with a love of music and the arts, Butler-Owens started by developing a children’s musical audio book.

Marketing soon turned to gifting as she realized how many children fell through the cracks at the most critical stage of reading development. She understood that while exploring her own creativity she must find a way to help young children do the same in an effort to enhance learning.

To that end shae began, Lullalee which has strategically partnered with authors, educators and music entertainers to develop programs that help underserved children facing learning challenges.

Since 2004, her non-profit 501(c)(3) has provided Car-Ni-Fairs, Storytelling Projects and Book Grants to over 10,500 children and their families in California, Louisiana and Africa. Guided by the mantra “Find Your Special Gift Through Art, Music & Literacy” Lullalee develops services recognizing that children learn in different ways and that exposure to the arts helps explore and exploit those differences.

Demand has defined the need for highly successful programs and Lullalee continues to develop exciting new approaches, inspiring children to embrace literacy.

Car-Ni-Fair, a magical day highlighting the importance of literacy is celebrated its 5th annual event on September 25t, 2009. Car-Ni-Fair entertains, educates and promotes smiles to over 3000 people- patients of Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation as well as kids from neighboring inner city schools.

Authors, magicians, clowns and puppeteers provide fun-filled entertainment while the aroma of cotton candy and popping corn seep into a carnival setting.

Lullalee seeks volunteers annually to help with this exciting event!
By Lee Ann B. http://www.serve.gov/stories_education.asp

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