WESTMINSTER, CA. (R.M.S. for The Joyful Child Foundation/ www.rms-biz.com) - The Joyful Child Foundation, founded by Erin Runnion in memory of her daughter Samantha Runnion, announced today its first annual holiday CD, "If I Could Have One Wish...A Joyful Christmas," which is available for the holidays with a $10 and up donation to The Joyful Child.
The CD is the result of a partnership with The California Conservatory of the Arts, and features eight original songs performed by The Kids Next Door with guest appearances by Tony Orlando and Broadway veteran Stephanie Block, who recently appeared with Hugh Jackman in "The Boy from Oz." A Christmas special has also been taped for broadcast on KOCE, Southern California's PBS affiliate, during the holiday season.
The entire project is underwritten by BP, Erin Runnion's employer. The CD "If I Could Have One Wish...A Joyful Christmas" is available at participating ARCO ampm retail locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties and at www.thejoyfulchild.org.
The Joyful Child Foundation was begun by Erin Runnion in 2002, following the tragic and highly publicized abduction and murder of her daughter, Samantha. The Joyful Child is devoted to the protection and enrichment of children, and recently launched its first program called Samantha's PRIDE, a community-based child watch program. "If I Could Have One Wish...A Joyful Christmas," is the foundation's first partnership with The California Conservatory of the Arts, and also is its first major fundraising effort.
The California Conservatory of the Arts (CCA), located in Orange County, Calif., provides pre-professional training to talented youth with aspirations for careers in the arts. Members of The Kids Next Door, in residence at CCA, are between the ages of 14 and 18 and are selected to participate through an audition process. This prestigious group performs nationally on television and radio, and has headlined in Las Vegas. Each year, The Kids Next Door produces a holiday CD with proceeds given to select charitable organizations.
"The Kids Next Door are an extraordinary group of young people, and I am overwhelmed by their passion, talent and generosity," said Erin Runnion. "Their commitment to this project, and its beautiful result, remind us all of the joy and accomplishment that our young people are capable of. We each have a responsibility to nurture and share this joyous spirit in all our children."
"I am so grateful to BP for their ongoing support of The Joyful Child," Runnion continued. "BP has encouraged our efforts in ways too numerous to count, from offering rewards the day Samantha was taken, to their contributions each summer for our Children's Arts Festival to bringing this wonderful holiday project to life. Without their unflagging support, our success to date would not be possible."
"It is a privilege to perform in memory of Samantha and in honor of Erin's remarkable courage to carry on her legacy. This year's program really is about 'kids helping kids'," said David Green, executive director of CCA. "Protecting children should be paramount to each of us; I am also so impressed by Erin's embracing of the arts and her encouragement of creative expression by our youth.
She is an inspiration to us all, and her work enriches our children, our communities and our nation."
For more information about The California Conservatory of the Arts or The Kids Next Door, please call 949-487-7253.
For more information about BP, please visit www.bp.com.
For more information about The Joyful Child Foundation or to order "If I Could Have One Wish... A Joyful Christmas," please visit www.thejoyfulchild.org or call 866-7-JOYFUL.
Contributions to The Joyful Child Foundation will help in the prevention of child abuse and abductions through programs that raise awareness, engage communities in the active protection of children and share Samantha's love of the arts.
