Giving Back to Creative Kids

Parker Dale has championed many fundraising events in support of Creative Kids – impressive for a kid his age.

From Creative Idol – a talent show featuring local youth performing for the audience - to a pinball party, this 17-year-old has hosted many fundraising events since 2013, raising over $14, 000 to support kids’ participation in arts and cultural activities.

Parker says an encounter at a Creative Kids fundraising event in 2013 was one of the most lifechanging events in his life. He recalls going to the event to watch his voice teacher perform but an encounter with a guitar up for raffle led him to want to give back to Creative Kids.

“There was this guitar that was donated, and I wished I would win but I didn’t win, so I was super sad,” he recalls. “But the man that won the guitar gave it to me. That’s where music came front and center for me. I am just so grateful that Creative Kids gave me the opportunity to grow into the person that I am today, because music has taught me so much.”

Parker started playing piano at the age of four, and started taking voice lessons when he was about the age of ten. Although Parker also plays basketball in high school, he says the arts – music – has become such a big part of his life, and has taught him to be a well-rounded person. His goal, he says, is to give other kids the opportunity to have that experience.

“It (music) has made me comfortable in so many different settings - in a classroom, on a basketball court, or on a football field. It doesn’t matter, music and the arts have the power to change you for the better.” he says. “There’s no better feeling than giving back to your community and to give other kids the opportunities that I’ve been so fortunate to have. That’s really my goal.”

“There’s no better feeling than giving back to your community and to give other kids the opportunities that I’ve been so fortunate to have. That’s really my goal.” – Parker Dale

He goes on to say that the arts does so much for people, but it still gets overlooked. Creative Kids makes a difference in the lives of many young people who are looking to get into the arts.

“Not everyone is sports-oriented, so to give kids the opportunity to pursue their musical, artistic or creative dream is really awesome!” he says. “Whether to play piano or to dance or get involved with Indigenous cultural activities, it just feels good that I can provide support. Not only does it feel good, it just feels right.”