Holiday Greetings from the Monkeys

Posted by Amanda Farrar on December 14, 2009

The holidays are a time for family, fun, and festivities, but it is also the time of year that sad puppies and children abound on television commercials and nonprofits attempt to guilt your money out of your pockets. 

But not us!  Here at Barrel of Monkeys, we are all about joy.  This week’s podcast is a very special one indeed.  It’s like a virtual cup of hot cocoa; warm, sweet, and comforting.  So take a break, kick up your feet, and delight in Artistic Director Luke Hatton, and immediate past Artistic Director Laura Grey’s description of the joyful (and educational) work we do in the Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Park Districts.  Snippets of stories include such classics as: (Untitled) My Name is David, I Am Poop, I Am a Teddy Bear/I Am a Child, Argument (Food Fight), Chitterlings, Friends, Bad Car, and Untitled (There Was Nothing).  (Loyal podcast listeners, you will recognize many of these!)  Listen here.

Although we will not exploit sad Monkeys, being a nonprofit organization, we do rely on the generosity of individuals like you to allow us to keep up the good work.  In this, our “Sponsor a Story” campaign, you could give $10, the cost of bringing one story from one student to the page.  There are upwards of 5,000 stories written each year by the students with whom BOM works, so if you want to give more, that is a-okay!  You can donate here.  Not the philanthropic type?  We still like you!  Come to “That’s Weird, Grandma” on a Monday night, and show your support in that way. 

Thank you, Monkey friends, for all you do to help us inspire children, who in turn inspire us all!  All the best to you and yours this holiday season from all the Monkeys here at BOM! 

Okay.  Maybe one sad Monkey.

Meredith Milliron in “The Magical Place”.  Photo by Dean Ponce.