Congratulations to Manley Carter and to the Catalog for Giving

Kids Creative was a proud participant and beneficiary at the Catalog for Giving Urban Heroes Awards Benefit on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. It was a wonderful evening where KC and 9 other amazing organizations were recognized for our work with youth in New York City. Here are some images from the night, as well as a link to the speech given by our Urban Hero, Manley Carter (the full transcript of the speech is below).

Enjoy.

Click here to see a video of part of Manley's speech.

Click above for Manley's speech

Wendy Williams presented some of the awards

Catalog for Giving Executive Director Mike Capobianco with Manley's mother Veronica, Manley and Kids Creative Executive Director Adam Jacobs

Manley and Veronica with KC Advisory Board Member Ally Sheedy, who presented Manley's award

The evening's host Bill Ritter, News Anchor from WABC-7 in New York

Celebrity Blogger Micah Jesse also presented an award

The full transcript of Manley's speech:

Hi, my name is Manley Carter.

Kids Creative has had a positive effect on me throughout the 6 years that I have been part of the program. They have allowed me to expand my mind and my creativity when helping out on projects and plays.

The program has also taught me how to listen to and respect other people’s opinions and ideas and to participate in more activities. They've also helped me to open up more and not be afraid or ashamed to express my thoughts or feelings. They have taken me on lots of fun trips where I got the chance to experience many different things but most of all Kids Creative always allows me to just be myself and have lots of fun.

I think it's important to be yourself because you should not have to change who you are to be accepted by anyone. Being yourself means you can express who you are and your feelings about different things and still be respected by people as long as you are not being disrespectful to hurt someone else. No one should be afraid to be who they are regardless of how they look, sound or even because of their race or age. I'm glad that Kids Creative allows me to be myself when I'm around them and lets me know that I can be myself where ever I am.

I am going to be a leader when I grow up, somebody who is going to lead by my actions.

The more creative I become, the more I will have better opportunities in life.

My community has given me the chance to learn, grow and play so when I grow up I want to give back to them and with the help of my parents and my older brother I know I will do a good job.

Thank you Kids Creative and good night!