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About

It's all about the smiles!

For 30 years, the KEYS Program has been delivering music, hope and smiles to children impacted by cancer & serious illnesses through our award-winning music therapy outreach, family respite days and sibling support programs.

 Thanks to donors like you, all of our outreach programs for kids impacted by cancer are provided at no cost to the families we serve. 

Thank you for making smiles like these possible!

We are on a mission of SMILES! 

Our Mission

Our History

The KEYS Program was founded in 1993 by retired NASCAR Official David Bennett and his wife Colleen, after losing Colleen’s father to cancer.

 

They created KEYS to provide comfort and support to children going through the same difficult time, in memory of her father.

 

For 30 years, the KEYS Program has been sharing the joy and healing power of music to improve the quality of life of children facing incredible health challenges, while creating memorable moments for their family!

And all at no cost to the families KEYS serves.

 

Our Mission of Smiles

The KEYS Program is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that delivers music, hope and smiles to children impacted by cancer through music outreach, education and advocacy.

 

KEYS provides award-winning patient and family support programs of music therapy, family respite days and sibling support programs that enhance and improve the quality of life of pediatric patients battling cancer and life-threatening illnesses.

In addition, KEYS raises awareness of the benefits of music and provides information and resources to healthcare professionals and parents so they may implement music in the care of the children they love and serve every day.

KEYS provides all of its outreach programs at no cost to the families and sites it serves. 

Our Impact

Today, the KEYS Program serves over 850 children  impacted by cancer and serious illnesses each year in New York State, plus an additional 135 children in 16 states across the US.

KEYS partnered with the Tony Stewart Foundation and American Legion Child Welfare Fund to provide Music Toolkits in 266 children's hospital libraries across the US providing music therapy resources, information and the tools parents and caregivers need to implement music in the care of the children they serve every day.

The KEYS Program's KEYS Kids Network and Monday Night Smile Concerts are broadcast to sites that serve over 1.5 million pediatric patients each year.

Now that's a LOT of smiles!

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The KEYS Program offers families and children battling cancer an opportunity to enjoy life through music, respite and silliness. During these difficult times it is often hard to step away and get refreshed. That is where the KEYS Program steps in. They are great!”     

 

~Jenée Kawejsza from Sophie's Giving Tree

A Proud GuideStar Platinum Charity

KEYS has achieved Guidestar's Platinum Seal of Transparency, their highest level of recognition!

 

Go to www.guidestar.org to view our most recent financials and 990 filing with the IRS. (Search for KEYS Corp in Sherrill, NY) 

 

The KEYS Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's charity registered and in good standing with the IRS, the New York State Department of Regents and the New York State Division of Charities. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 

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