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IMPACT raises $25,000 for Ugandan school

admin February 4, 2016 Dance News No Comment

IMPACT dance missions organizationOn Saturday, January 16, the dance missions organization IMPACT hosted its first fundraising gala, To Inspire, To IMPACT, in Saint Paul, Minnesota in an effort to raise support to assist in the building of a school in Entebbe, Uganda.

 

“We welcomed over 145 people from around the globe on the coldest night of 2016 in Minnesota,” shared IMPACT Founder Katie Owings. “We are truly overwhelmed by the amount of love and worldwide support of our vision, mission and the many generous hearts who have stepped forward to give  — from our local Inspiration Performing Arts Center community, to our supportive worldwide More Than Just Great Dancing! family — we were able to raise $25,000 for the school we have planned to build in Uganda this summer.”

 

Katie Owings with friendOwings and Morgan Kisitu of 1000 Shades of Green Tour & Safari Company in Uganda have partnered up on the venture.

 

“Morgan is one of the most honorable men I know. He is my brother, and I am so proud of the work he is doing everyday in Africa,” Owings said. “In Uganda, once you are welcomed into a home, you are family. Morgan’s mission in life is to give back, and so is mine. God has brought us together in this bold effort, and we are so thankful that we get to share what was once a ‘riding-in-the-safari-van-through- the-slums-one-day-dream’ to reality. There are many kids who will benefit from the school we are building. And, many dancers and missionaries who’s lives will be forever changed by our service-oriented trips.”

 

dance missions organization fundraising eventOwings said the new Ugandan school is all about offering hope. “It’s really quite simple… at the end of the day, we just want to create a place that gives others hope.  And, that is what we are going to do,” she said.

 

In late 2014, Owings formed IMPACT, a nonprofit global community of dancers, teachers, studio owners and artists coming together to serve, dance and love through worldwide mission trip experiences. In August of 2015 alone, the organization helped to feed over 220 children, serve over 500 children, and bring the arts to several communities in Haiti and Uganda.

 

To go on one of IMPACT’s life-changing trips, watch the building unfold, and/or donate to the cause, visit www.toimpacttheworld.org.

 

Photos: Dancers and attendees at the recent IMPACT Gala. Photos courtesy of Katie Owings.