Published in the Asbury Park Press on 7/17/2009.
MARLBORO — Local artist Laura Brunetti once again has brought her creative and caring touch to dozens of children who attend Kateri Day Camp.
The camp is a summer program for 300 children ages 5 through 13 from low-income families who live in Monmouth County. The camp is located on the Collier Youth Services campus on Conover Road, here, and is offered by the nonprofit social services agency to families at no cost or low cost.
Brunetti, owner of L'Estrella Studio in Colts Neck, said she taught the children to paint on fabric last year. This year, she expanded her creative services to include but also African drummers and dancers, yoga instruction and an ice cream truck.
"I love Collier," said Brunetti, a 49-year-old Ocean Township resident who has been involved with fundraising and other volunteer efforts for the agency for nearly a decade. "Everybody is at risk in some way. But when you embrace them, everybody comes out feeling a little better."
Jackie St. Angel, development director for Collier, called Brunetti a "creative force" who knows how to relate to the children. "She's been so wonderful," she said.
Brunetti brought enough craft supplies for the 180 campers who were there July 14 to make necklaces and rattles. The homemade instruments were fashioned from toilet paper rolls filled with buttons and acorns.
Nicholas Benitez-Gervolino, 9, of Long Branch has been attending the camp for three summers. He said he appreciates the time and effort Brunetti took to coordinate this special day.
"It made me feel like I'm a very special person to the world," Nicholas said.
His friend, 9-year-old Gannon Wyche of Wall, said he never heard live drums before. "It sounds cool," he said.
Macy Brackett, 7, of Asbury Park thought it was very nice of the musicians to let the children beat on their instruments. The largest drum was as tall as her nose, and she had to reach up high to pound on the leather head.
Aside from the mesmerizing rhythms, Macy was taken by the colorful African garb and distinctive accents. A woman dressed in a flowery green dress and matching headdress swayed to the pulsating sounds, and sang softly.
"They look like they are from another country," Macy observed.
Jean Kitio, owner of House of Africa in East Orange, said he brought his drum and dance ensemble to share an important part of African culture with the children. The Cameroon native noted that Africans cannot have a ceremony without music and dance, and they often use drums to communicate. The tempo is slow when the news is sad, such as a death, and loud and frenzied when the announcement is happy, such as a birth or wedding.
Kitio tells a group of about 10 children to listen first, but many can't resist tapping on small, hand-held drums with curved wooden sticks. After a few minutes, they are invited to join in, as the woman in the green dress dances around them.
"It's an esteem builder when you let them create what they want to create," Brunetti said. "Even if this (music and art) are not on their career path, it's an introduction to an emotional outlet. . .Anyone can put crayons to paper."
Collier is sponsored by the Sisters of Good Shepherd. The agency operates educational, recreational and residential programs for at-risk youth.
BY NINA RIZZO • FREEHOLD BUREAU • JULY 17, 2009
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