Circus helps organization continue to fund special grants

Date: 7/20/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



WILBRAHAM It may be hard to imagine, but all those who attended the Circus Smirkus performances the weekend of July 11 and 12 were doing more than enjoying flashy costumes, intricate dance moves and daring acrobatics - they were helping bring special programming to the schools in the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District.

"We had a good response from the area community," Kevin Giordano, president of the Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust (WHAT), said. "I think we were impacted a little bit by the economy, but all the shows were well attended."

He added that he thought this year's show was "particularly good," and that he loves bringing Circus Smirkus to town.

WHAT "is an autonomous non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the community's commitment to excellence in the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District. The foundation raises private funds to provide innovative, educational, and enriching programs for school children which will foster pride in our community," according to its Web site.

WHAT has hosted Circus Smirkus for three years, and the big top performances serve as the organization's largest fundraiser. Approximately 4,000 people from Western Massachusetts and beyond have attended the performances in Wilbraham in their first two years.

Circus Smirkus is an international youth circus that has been touring for 22 years with a tradition of bringing joy and magic to towns all over the Northeast. Stars, ages 10 to 18, bring youthful exuberance and polished skills from all parts of the country and the world.

"It's a fun fundraiser to be involved with," Giordano stated. "Hopefully, we're going to bring them back next year."

The funds raised from the circus help WHAT fund as many projects as possible.

Since June 30, 2008, WHAT has funded $22,174 in grant to teachers at Minnechaug, Memorial, Green Meadows, Stony Hill, Thornton W. Burgess and Mile Tree schools. These grants have covered everything from design software to hosting an artist-in-residence to a bird of prey workshop to celebrating Pi Day (March 14).

"We are fortunate that we've never not funded a grant because of lack of funds," Giordano said.

He explained that WHAT is looking for new ways, in addition to the circus, to raise funds for grants. He said he would like to see another spaghetti dinner sometime in late winter/early spring, like they did earlier this year as part of the send off of retiring superintendent Paul Gagliarducci.

"We want to do something that will get the attention of the community," Giordano said.

Since its inception in 2003, WHAT has funded $72,996 in grants. For more information on the organization, visit www.whatinc.org.