HELP GIVE LOCAL KEIKI A CREATIVE JUMPSTART WITH KEIKI CREATIVE DRIVE

Check out the article in MidWeek! 

The twinkle in the eyes, and the huge grins of four, five and six-year olds when they draw a picture and share it with you, or perform a song, or read their first book are precious moments to capture. Award-winning children’s photographer Rita Coury is familiar with those moments and has photographed many children expressing themselves with unbridled creativity. And this is what has prompted Ms Coury to kick-start a drive for creative tools for Oahu’s keiki.

It has come to Rita Coury’s attention that there are too many children of all ages on Oahu who are deprived of the tools to draw a picture or make a clay sculpture. She understands that food comes before crayons and clay. But children who are deprived of the chance to be creative are starving in another way.

Because, “Coury Cares,” she is now accepting nominations for the school, the classroom, the teacher, or the small organization that focuses on children and families, and needs supplies like coloring books, crayons, stickers, journals, painting supplies, art projects, etc.

Every other month beginning July 1, 2014, Rita Coury will donate creative tools to the children of one of these organizations.

“As a photographer,” Rita Coury says, “I recognize the need for creative expression in our little ones. It is a treasure that each child will hold for a lifetime. Do we have another Da Vinci or a Maya Angelou in our midst? How do we know unless they have something to draw on or write with?”

Rita will be accepting nominations effective immediately. This is an ongoing drive, so keep the nominations coming. Then, every other month beginning July 1, 2014, Rita Coury will donate creative tools for the children of one of the nominees. She also urges you to help her in gathering whatever you can find that focuses on art, creativity and expression. To submit nominations or make a donation to the Keiki Creative Drive, send an e-mail to: Rita@ritacouryphotography. Subject: Coury Cares 

For more information about Rita Coury Photography, Inc. visit ritacouryphotography.com or call Rita Coury at: 808-744-8989.

Affiliate Photographer with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)

NILMDTS • Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is a national, 501(c)(3) not for profit voluntary organization dedicated to providing parents and families, who are suffering an early infant loss, with the gift of portraiture and DVD recordings.

Funding from individuals and corporations has enabled NILMDTS to provide parents and families with heirloom memories of their baby. When birth and death do coincide, this is the only opportunity to substantiate the importance of this baby’s life. We also strive to bring awareness and public education to the healing effects of bereavement photography.

All monies donated to NILMDTS goes directly into supporting this organization and the maintenance of our web sites. Please know that other than the 5-person headquarters staff, not one single person is paid for their time or services. The Photographers who are affiliated with NILMDTS share their talents with the families through the generosity of their hearts. They receive no compensation from NILMDTS, nor from the families with whom they share their gifts.

Photography donations to:

  • Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
  • Breast Cancer Research Foundation
  • National Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • March of Dimes
  • Breastfeeding Hawai'i
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities
  • Equality Hawai'i
  • Hawaiian Humane Society
  • Girl Scouts of America
  • PATCH – People Attentive to Children
  • TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors
  • Pearl Harbor Submarine Spouses' Charitable Association
  • IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre
  • Pali Women’s Health Center Kokokahi Y’s Community Fair
  • The Hawai'i Substance Abuse Coalition
  • Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery
  • Girl Fest Hawai'i
  • La Pietra - Hawai'i School for Girls
  • Island Pacific Academy
  • Montessori Community School
  • Ka'elepula Elementary
  • Macrobiotic Hawai'i
  • Friends of Christopher Otto Fundraiser
  • Ronald McDonald House
  • Soroptimist International of Honolulu