GOTO Volunteer Profile: Catherine Holahan

1) How did you first hear about GOTO?
Like most GOTO members, I heard about it from a friend. The former marketing chair, Christine Pecorella and I are friends and had been in the same a cappella group in Princeton.

2. What are your roles as a GOTO volunteer?
Marketing co-chair

3. How would you describe GOTO to a friend?
It's an all-volunteer run charity made up of really nice, young professionals in New York who donate their time to make a difference in kids lives. And we do make a difference. You should hear what the kids and their parents say after attending camp. They talk about being changed, having a new method of self-expression and self-confidence, getting experience that they would never have had the opportunity to gain in school.

4. What is your favorite GOTO moment so far?
Hard to pick just one. Partying with friends at the last gala, and the annual meeting a couple years ago in which one father said that his son's school had cut all the programs relating to creativity and that, without them, his son had stopped enjoying school as much. GOTO and Appel Farm had changed that by restoring his arts experience.

5. Where do you see GOTO 20 years from now?
I see GOTO having chapters all over the U.S., helping young people give back to their communities and kids retain a vital avenue for creativity and self-expression.

BONUS QUESTION: If GOTO sent you to Arts & Music Summer Camp, what would be your major?
My major would be vocal music. I was never any good at sports. Without music, I wouldn't have had the extracurricular activities that gave me so much joy and confidence, not to mention helped me get into college.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 2012 is here and that means more opportunities for GOTO to give back to our community. Check out how we've been helping underprivileged youths for the last decade and how you can help too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V72gwMzLgvQ

GOTO Volunteer Profile: Jennifer Montalvo

1) How did you first hear about GOTO?

I first heard about GOTO from my friend, Christine Pecorella a few years back and got involved this year after seeing a volunteer posting via Zogsports.

2) What are your roles as a GOTO volunteer?

I work on the development committee assisting with some new and exciting initiatives including grant proposals and donor outreach.

3) What is your favorite GOTO moment so far?

A true highlight, was the moment GOTO's first grant proposal was sent out. It felt like that start of the next phase for our development committee and I was so happy to be part of the team when it was sent. Now time for many more!

BONUS: If GOTO sent you to Arts & Music Summer Camp, what would be your major?

I would LOVE to major in Rockestra, but I'd likely major in Wind & Woodwind Ensemble; I play the alto sax.

GOTO Volunteer Profile: Hailey Weniger

1) How did you first hear about GOTO?

I first heard about it through Nisha Phatak, who is currently volunteering as well. I was trying to find something that I could give back to the community and feel as though I was a bigger part than just signing up for random volunteer opportunities and Nisha told me about GOTO. I figured it would be awesome to get involved!

2) What are your roles as a GOTO volunteer?

I’m helping out the marketing committee, mainly updating the blog posts and such.

3) How would you describe GOTO to a friend?

I would describe it as a group of young professionals that really want to help the youth explore opportunities they may never have had. GOTO does this by organizing events and giving tribute to the Appel Farm and the many talented kids that deserve a chance to be creative! It’s exciting to see the kids really develop their talents knowing you are behind the scenes!

4) What is your favorite GOTO moment so far?

Seeing as how I have only been a part of GOTO for about a month, it would have to be the Halloween Party as a whole. It was great to see so many people brave the horrible weather to celebrate the night and give back to an awesome cause. Everyone had great costumes on- but I think Beeker takes the cake! Best costume ever!

5) Where do you see GOTO 20 years from now?

I see it expanding to other cities, I mean, it was relatively easy to convince me to get involved and it’s for an amazing cause.

BONUS: If GOTO sent you to Arts & Music Summer Camp, what would be your major?

I have always had a passion for photography, I love being behind the camera and capturing moments before they pass by. It’s awesome when you can take a picture and have a moment forever!

11th Annual Halloween party: Hell Raised for Heavenly Cause!

The weather outside was frightful, but Giving Opportunities To Others' 11th Annual Halloween Ball was as delightful as ever! Angry Birds, Mavericks and Gooses, the Baywatch Crew, the Mario Kart gang and even a Mr. Softee braved the freak October snow storm that left many in the dark to pack the Broad Street Ballroom to Raise Some Hell for a Heavenly Cause!

The October 29th event SOLD OUT with nearly 600 tickets purchased. Party-groovers monster mashed from 10pm until the wee hours of the morning, all while enjoying a five hour open bar filled with spooky top shelf spirits!

A spook-tacular thanks goes out to the event's generous corporate sponsors-- Laguintas Brewing Company and Palm Bay International Fine Wine and Spirits, which donated IPAs and specialty Aperol and Prosecco cocktails for the event-- and with half of every ticket sold going to GOTO's mission of enriching the lives of underpriveleged NYC-area students through the arts, over $20,000 was raised!

We even had a write up in the Lifestyle and Charity Magazine!

http://www.lifestyleandcharity.com/2011/11/the-11th-annual-goto-halloween-ball/

Who Wants to Raise Some Hell for a Heavenly Cause?

The Halloween Party is right around the corner and the GOTO volunteers are in full swing getting everything ready for a spook-tacular night!

The haunting will take place at the Broad Street Ballroom, 41 Broad Street. To lure you all there, the night will include delicious Halloween treats, a DJ, a 5 hour open bar with some specialty drinks, and a crazed dance floor of over 400 zombies, vampires, and monsters among many many other costumes.

Get your costume ready and get your tickets here: http://gotohalloween2011.charityhappenings.org

There are special group discounts and EXCLUSIVE access for VIP ticket holders. BEWARE! We have sold out every year, so get yours now or you might get left in the dark!

There's no trick! The treat is all ticket proceeds will help send deserving middle school students to arts camp! Who would have thought having so much fun could do so much good!

Hope to see you all there dressed to scare!

Appel Farm Camp Visit 2011

Saturday, August 13th, was an incredibly fun day at Appel Farm Arts & Music camp! Ten GOTO volunteers attended the annual trip to camp to visit scholars enrolled in the second session. The scholars ranged from first timers to those attending their third and last Summer session. Once the volunteers settled in at camp, we were joined by the camp directors, camp founder Albert Appel and scholars in Appel Farm's art gallery. We went around the room to introduce ourselves and allowed the scholars to share with us their experience at camp so far. We learned about the classes they were taking, performances thus far and what they were planning for the upcoming performance week which happens during the last week at camp. There was a lot of excitement in the room as the students described what they have been able to create and learn over the Summer.

The volunteers were fortunate enough to see firsthand what our scholars are studying at Appel Farm. We were divided up among the students and able to attend their minor 1 and minor 2 classes. Some of the classes included street dance, sculpture (which included glass and welding), beginning guitar, costume and set design, vocal performance, super heros (students create and act out the super hero character they developed), theater, fashion accessories design and rock band.

It's always a joy to be in that creative and supportive environment with our scholars. Though GOTO volunteers only spend a couple of hours there, the annual trip always leaves an impact of purpose. What an amazing opportunity we as a group are able to provide. Now the school year begins with the chance for teachers to nominate 6th graders - some of whom will become the next class of GOTO scholars. Volunteers are already looking forward to next year's trip!