When they learned that music programs in area schools were at risk, Nat King Cole’s twin daughters Casey and Timolin Cole, both Boca Raton residents, stepped in to make a difference. To honor the legacy, music and life of their father Nat King Cole in 2008 after learning of budget cuts in public schools directly affecting the arts, they founded Nat King Cole Generation Hope to help provide music education to children with the greatest need and fewest resources.
Under Casey and Timolin’s leadership that is fueled with passion, Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. funds programs that provide for music instruction, mentoring and resources. To date, donations in excess of $66,000 have benefited more than 5,000 children in music programs in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.
“Our family history is one of musical excellence and charitable giving,” said Timolin Cole. “Our father was a trailblazer in the music industry and will live forever through his style, grace and unforgettable music. Our mother Maria, also an entertainer, sang with Duke Ellington and was known for supporting multiple causes throughout her life. By giving students the opportunity to enhance their musical talents and abilities, our family’s legacy lives on.”
Sister Casey Cole was pleased to report that since its inception, the NKCGH has granted funds to several Palm Beach County schools and programs that have put them to good use, including Boca Raton Middle School, Boca Raton Community High School, Belvedere Elementary School (West Palm Beach), Canal Point Elementary School, Cholee Lake Elementary School, Forest Hill Community High School, Jaega Middle School, North Palm Beach Elementary School, Plumosa Elementary School of the Arts, Summer Strings at Lynn University, Roosevelt Community Middle School, U. B. Kinsey Elementary School, and the Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County. Those in Broward County receiving funds include Dillard High School and Piper High School, with those in Miami-Dade County including American Senior High School, Heritage Elementary School, New World School of the Performing Arts, Northwest Miami Senior High School, and Palmetto Elementary School.
BRAVO! FROM BENEFITING SCHOOLS
Plumosa School of the Arts Principal Pricilla Maloney shared her appreciation for NKCGH’s donation of musical instruments to students. “Words cannot express the joy our students experienced as they were receiving the instruments. We will be forever grateful for our gift of music.”
Glenn Eichelberger, Director of Bands at American Senior High wrote to the Cole sisters sharing, “Words cannot express my extreme gratitude and humility for your efforts with making this a successful year for my students.”
As reported in the Miami Herald, “Brianna Clark wrapped her arms around the case holding a new alto saxophone and hugged it tight in the band room at Miami Northwestern Senior High. ‘This moment right here is everlasting to us. We’re really thankful for it.’”
INAUGURAL NKCGH SUMMER STRINGS AT LYNN UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRATES BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION
This past summer 105 students from seven Title 1 Palm Beach County schools were transported to Lynn University in Boca Raton to attend the inaugural Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. Summer Strings at Lynn University, a camp that provided elementary students without means an opportunity to receive the highest quality string instruction. Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., the School District of Palm Beach County and Lynn University Conservatory of Music worked together to make this week-long program happen with Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. funding the cost of running the camp, the school district providing transportation and lunches for the campers and the university donating the space. Students received small group section instruction and private lessons with Lynn’s conservatory students serving as their mentors. The week-long camp culminated in a concert performed in the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center. Timolin and Casey Cole personally presented Musical Achievement Certificates to campers and were joined by their sister Natalie, a supporter of the organization and its mission.
RAVE REVIEWS SHARED BY PARENTS AND COMMUNITY
“Thank you so much for giving these children hope through music!” said Susan Rodberg about the Summer Strings program experience. “I am convinced that the children learned more than just music this week!”
Laura Sinclair shared that sentiment. “Thank you for what you gave these children this week! New friends, new musical skills, and so much to be proud of! What a powerful week!”
“Thank you to the Cole family,” Allison North added in appreciation. “My son Collin attended the camp. It was amazing. I can’t thank you enough for all you do!”
Another mother with a rave review Olga Bacher said “Thank you so much to everyone involved in the camp. It was a great opportunity and a great experience for our child.”
“Simply beautiful! Love the work you do in our community,” noted Candi Spitz.
According to Casey Cole, plans are currently underway to expand the camp program next year based on fundraising from this year’s GENERATIONS Concert. “While giving has been predominantly in Palm Beach County, our goal is to replicate successful programs, like our recent Summer Strings opportunity, across the country.”
“We believe that every child should be exposed to music education,” noted Timolin Cole, who shared that a NKCGH donation of 30 violins to Heritage Elementary School created the school’s first strings program. “Studies prove that participation in school music programs has a positive impact on areas considered outside the realm of music including dexterity, coordination, self-discipline, self-esteem, thinking skills, listening skills, and personal expression.”
In keeping with the Cole family’s music legacy, Casey and Timolin report that this year’s concert will showcase generations of musical greatness, including performances by their sister Natalie Cole, students from the Nat King Cole Generation Hope Summer Strings Camp, and local teen performance artists Andrew Foreman, Zoe Fromer and Jermaine Tegue.
The annual GENERATIONS concert benefit is Generation Hope’s biggest fundraising event. Timolin and Casey want the proceeds from this year’s concert to significantly catapult the reach and response of Generation Hope in granting much needed resources that have been dramatically depleted at area schools.
The mission of Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is to provide music education to children with the greatest need and fewest resources. It is accomplished by funding programs that provide for instruction, mentoring and resources. Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. accepts grant applications throughout the year, which are reviewed by its Board of Directors and grants are awarded twice yearly based on the merit of application and availability of funds. Organization board members include Timolin Cole, president; Casey Cole, vice president; Robin Coven – Levin HomeCare; Martin L. Coyne; Rainford Knight – Florida Institute of Finance, LLC; Toni Mastrullo – Telecom Resources of America, Inc.; Sharon Gordon Mullane, Esq.; Thais Piotrowski – Ameriprise and Milana Walter.
TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR MARCH 1ST GENERATION BENEFIT CONCERT HEADLINING NINE-TIME GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING SINGER AND SONGWRITER NATALIE COLE
Held March 1, 2013 at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida (the venue of the final 2012 Presidential Debate), the benefit evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with a reception hosted by Celebrity Cruises featuring music performed by students from the Lynn Conservatory of Music and an ensemble of children they mentored during Nat King Cole Generation Hope Summers Strings. A silent auction will include a 4-foot x 3-foot original painting of Nat King Cole by Salvatore Principe, a vintage handbag from the private collection of Maria Cole, wife of Nat King Cole and mother of the Cole sisters, Natalie, Timolin and Casey; and a limited edition print of the legendary artists who performed and recorded “We Are The World”, including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, and Diana Ross with each artist’s signature and portrait, along with the musical score of the song.
At 8:00 p.m. the attendees will enjoy music from the talented, local youth performers Andrew Foreman, Zoe Fromer and pianist Jermaine Teague, followed by the performance by headliner Natalie Cole.
VIP tickets priced at $350 include premier seating, open bar at the Celebrity Cruises pre-concert reception, a private meet-and greet with performers, and post-event dessert reception; Donor tickets priced at $150 include priority seating and two drink tickets for the Celebrity Cruises pre-concert reception; and General Admission tickets priced at $75 with cash bar at Celebrity Cruises pre-concert reception are available, but limited.