Kids Helping Kids Secures Sara Bareilles for January 7 Benefit Concert

Singer and songwriter Tyrone Wells, who has opened for several Kids Helping Kids concerts and will open again this year, delivered the news to audience members during his concert at SOhO Restaurant and Music Club. Headlining artists in the past have been Toad the Wet Sprocket, Five for Fighting, and Mat Kearney.

“The four times I have had the privilege of being involved with Kids Helping Kids,” said Mr. Wells, “I was absolutely blown away by the professionalism and enthusiastic, meaningful efforts of the students.” For more information, please visit Mr. Wells’ website at www.tyronewells.com.

Sara Bareilles first achieved mainstream critical praise in 2007 with her widely successful hit, “Love Song” which reached #1 in 22 countries around the world from her debut album Little Voice. Since then, the Eureka, CA native has gone on to sell over 1 million copies of her debut album, earn 3 Grammy nominations including Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “Love Song.” Bareilles’ critically acclaimed sophomore release Kaleidoscope Heart, released in September of 2010, debuted at #1 on the Billboard top 200 chart and has gained critical praise everywhere including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, People and Los Angeles Times. The album yielded the hit single “King of Anything,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and was certified platinum by the RIAA. For more information, please visit www.sarabmusic.com.

The benefit concert this year will once again take place at the Granada Theatre in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara on January 7, 2012. Located on State Street, the Granada Theatre has a capacity of 1,600 seats. Tickets may be purchased at The Granada Theatre box office, or online at www.ticketing.granadasb.org, beginning this Wednesday, November 23rd at 10:00 AM *.

Founded in 2002, Kids Helping Kids is entering its tenth year of existence, and its first as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Composed of 107 students enrolled in San Marcos High School’s Advanced Placement Economics, members of Kids Helping Kids strive to fulfill their mission statement to be “empowered students making a difference from the classroom to the community.” To learn more about Kids Helping Kids, visit their website at www.kidshelpingkidssb.org.

Since 2002, Kids Helping Kids has been successful in raising over half a million dollars; last year’s group of students grossed more than $165,000. Under leadership of San Marcos Senior and CEO Kelly Shara, this year’s students aim to add to that figure.

“While last year’s class did an amazing job, this year we are hoping to expand on what they did in order to be able to give back to the community even more,” said Ms. Shara.

Kids Helping Kids donates to a variety of recipients, locally and internationally. The Santa Barbara Unity Shoppe has been one of Kids Helping Kids’ biggest beneficiaries.

In addition, last year, Kids Helping Kids gave $5,000 to Ubumwe Community Center in Gisenyi, Rwanda to lay the foundation for their Preschool Project. Most organizations are not without a guiding hand. For Kids Helping Kids, Jamie DeVries is that hand. Mr. DeVries is the President of Kids Helping Kids and the teacher of the San Marcos Advanced Placement Economics program.

“It is so impressive seeing 107 students living beyond their own self-interests,” said Mr. DeVries.

Kids Helping Kids welcomes and encourages the public to attend the concert and enjoy an evening of great music in a friendly atmosphere. They believe that in doing so, contributions will go towards making a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate.

To get involved with Kids Helping Kids, contact CEO Kelly Shara, Director of Marketing Nick Carney, or President Jamie DeVries at the Kids Helping Kids website: www.kidshelpingkidssb.org