I had the pleasure of attending the 2013 Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota Children’s Music Festival last Sunday, September 22nd.
As many of you know, Joannie and I were fortunate to be the friends and photographers of Harmon and Nita Killebrew and the Harmon Killebrew Foundation. Part of Harmon’s legacy is to get this house built. Back in January, I had the honor of photographing the launch of the Harmon Killebrew Hospice Home for Kids Fund benefiting Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota.
Harmon Killebrew poses by his statue at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN.
To help raise awareness, the free Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota Children’s Music Festival was held Sunday at Black Bear Crossings on the Lake in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Lots of Great Entertainment for Kids and Adults
It featured great live entertainment including Kid Power with Rachael. Rachael wows audiences with her unique and energetic blend of interactive guitar music, comedy cartoon impressions. Also the juggling, Circus Manduhai. A fun, interactive, and amazing display of circus skills to entertain the whole family. And BandanAhhh! A trio who loves to make music and entertain all kinds of audiences with a terrific mix of songs!
The community event is the fourth annual event for Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota. It’s raising funding and awareness for the building of a children’s hospice and respite care home. It will be serving children with life-limiting conditions and their families. It would be the FIRST dedicated home of its kind in Minnesota. While the festivities are free, donations of any amount were welcome and much appreciated at the event.
“This family event began 4 years ago and continues to be a way for us all to come together to celebrate children and families and our mission to have this much-needed children’s hospice and respite care home available in the near future,” said Katie Lindenfelser, Executive Director of CLM.
The Need Is There
There are 9,000 children living with a life-limiting illness Minnesota. Approximately 500 children are diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses annually. Once built, the CLM hospice home will be a place where these children and their families can stay for respite periods and at end-of-life. The home will further offer bereaved families in the community an avenue for developing supportive relationships.
“The Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota Children’s Music Festival is a celebration of children’s lives, no matter the length,” said Natalie Wilson, whose son Liam passed away in 2012. “The amazing power of music, families, stories, and love wraps itself around each person who attends. The Children’s Music Festival is a place where we could be a family of four. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our sweet Liam with everyone and speak of his brief life. We look forward to attending year after year to experience this sacred festival.” Natalie was a speaker at the 2012 Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota Children’s Music Festival.
The purpose of the Children’s Music Festival is to spread the word and raise desperately needed funds. To learn more about CLM or make a donation, contact Katie Lindenfelser at 763.587.1152 or visit www.ChildrensLighthouseMN.org
Here’s the highlight music video I’ve created in honor of this great event.