HYPE Seeks to Raise $10,000 for Invisible Children

A goal and a dream. And 14 motivated high school students seeking to make a difference in the world. This Thanksgiving/early Christmas season, HYPE has been stirred to help raise money for the organization Invisible Children, after hearing about the terrible dangers & atrocities children face in Africa.

Currently, there are thousands of African children being forced to live in fear and commute daily to inner cities to avoid being abducted. They fear a man named Joseph Kony, the leader of the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army). If children are abducted, they are forced to become a member of his army, and could be forced to kill their own family members. Here in America, when we are in danger, we have the option of calling 911. In Africa, they have no one to call. The Protection Plan created by Invisible Children is a program that would set up radio towers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Sudan, which gives them the ability to warn neighboring communities when the LRA is coming. Money will also go to help abducted children return home and reunite with their families. In addition to those, the Protection Plan works to promote the arrest of Joseph Kony and top LRA leadership.

The goal for the Protection Plan is $2 million. HYPE has joined the Frontline, and made it their goal to raise $10,000. Sound like a big goal? It definitely is … but our God is bigger, and HYPE is excited to see Him move in amazing ways.

If you want to get involved to help make a difference, please visit HYPE’s fundraising page, or stay tuned for some upcoming fundraisers happening within the next three weeks. HYPE passionately believes that they were called for such a time as this, and they invite you to join them in this worthwhile cause, and make a difference.

For more information on Invisible Children, please see their website.

 

Encore, Encore 2011 – “A Country Christmas”

“Encore, Encore 2011: A Country Christmas” is rapidly approaching! “Encore, Encore” is CYT-Spokane’s traditional year-end celebration and fundraiser where we perform numbers from each of the shows done in the past calendar year, as well as some favorite CYT classes and camps. We will also be previewing some of our 2012 shows! Come join us as we share this beautiful opportunity to celebrate the success of the year just shared together, and look forward in anticipation of the year to come!

Please remember, this is a semi-formal event, so dress in your holiday best! For men, this means a dress shirt, slacks, and a tie, and for ladies, a party dress or long gown would be appropriate.

This year, our theme is “A Country Christmas” in anticipation of our Winter 2012 show, “Oklahoma!” Come experience the comfort and warmth of a good-old fashioned Christmas complete with all the fixings! There will be lovely holiday decorations, delicious refreshments, exciting auction and raffle items, and more – you won’t want to miss out! We hope to see you there!

Also! ALUMNI, for the first time ever, we will be having a special performance opportunity for you at “Encore” as well as a special trip down memory lane. Please contact the office if you are interested in being involved.

Tickets: $10.00 in advance for non-performers, guests, and family members. At the door, all tickets will be $12.00.
FREE for all student and alumni performers

Tickets are on sale now through the CYT office! Please note that in order to perform, all students & alumni must RSVP through the office and attend the mandatory rehearsals on Saturday, December 17th, and Wednesday, December 28th.

Box Office Manager, Lydia Kinne, Resigning

I want to take a moment to let you know that our wonderful Lydia Kinne, long-time CYT Box Office Manager will be leaving this position to pursue and complete her upper-division requirements for a degree in elementary education & theater at Eastern Washington University after the first of the year.

She will continue with CYT Spokane as the HYPE Advisor, Summer Camp Coordinator, as well begin an Artistic Director Internship.

I know that you will join me in thanking Lydia for all that she is to CYT Spokane and wishing her all the best as she answers God’s call to pursue her career goals and dreams. She will always be a cherished family member of our CYT community.

Thank you,
Kristine Lyons
Artistic Director

A Note from Lydia …

When I first came to this office job at CYT-Spokane five years ago, I was an inexperienced nineteen-year old, who just knew that she adored CYT and wanted to do anything associated with it. Now, I sit here looking back over the memories and experiences of the past five years and wonder where in the world time has gone! It has certainly been an adventure, and I wouldn’t trade my time here for any other.

But now, God has whispered to my heart that it’s time to move on to the next step in my life’s journey. With the demands of being an upperclassman at the university, my schedule no longer permits me to be committed to office time here at CYT, and I know that it’s time to focus on my goal of becoming a teacher, and give school my all until it’s finished, Lord willing.

What I want people to know most of all, though, is that my love for CYT has not waned. In fact, just the opposite. It’s grown deeper and deeper over the years, and because of that, I look with excitement to the next opportunity waiting for me in this organization – that of being an Intern to the Artistic Director. As one who dares to dream big and learn all that she can about the next step in CYT, this couldn’t be the more perfect direction for my life, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. At the same time, I will not be abandoning my position as HYPE Adviser, nor as summer camp director, and I look forward to teaching CYT classes and intern directing for shows in the future.

My time as the Box Office Manager/Registrar at CYT has been some of the most blessed of my life. When surrounded by such wonderful, loving families like yours, how could it not be? Thank you for making my time in the office so memorable, and while I will miss daily interactions with all of you, I look forward to the new ways that we can work together with this group we love so much. Thank you for your love and support, and may God continue to bless CYT.

With love,

Lydia Kinne

HYPE Presents Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

Last year, for the first time, HYPE presented an Operation Christmas Child “Shoebox Packing Party” at CYT as their fall service project. Around 20 kids gathered at the CYT Studio to pack 26 shoeboxes for children around the world who may not otherwise receive a Christmas present.

It was such fun that the group decided to do it again this year, and hopefully surpass their goal of boxes packed this year! If you are unfamiliar with the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, and the Operation Christmas Child, please see their website for more information and to also see a list of items to pack. Also, please note that for every box you plan to pack, it requires a $7 donation to process. If you donate online and print out a special label, you’ll even be able to track where you shoebox ends up!

HYPE invites all CYT families to come out and help pack shoeboxes on Friday, November 18th at the CYT Studio from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Hot chocolate, Christmas goodies, and Christmas music will be provided! If you are unable to come, we still welcome donations of shoeboxes, gift items, or even the $7 that it takes to process a shoebox. Donations can be collected at the CYT Studio or at showcase.

We look forward to helping spread Jesus’ love around the world this year!