Talent show sparks community outreach

The Saratoga Cares Foundation hosted the town’s fourth annual “Saratoga Has Talent” on Aug. 22. Held at the Joan Pisani Community Center, the event fundraised for the local senior center.

Young and old alike competed to win a variety of prizes, such as money, trophies, and most importantly, to show off their talents. Eight-year-old Venice Lauren Barbiran won the 12 and under category for her performance of the Tony award winning song “City Lights,” and classical singer Ken Cioffi won the general category for his rendition of “Because We Believe.”

“The overall goal was community building and creating a fun environment and evening for the community to intermingle, [have] a little fun and [work] toward a big cause for the senior center,” Saratoga Cares founder Rishi Kumar said.

This year, Saratoga Has Talent had 11 contestants in the five through 12 age group and 15 in the 13 and over. One of the performers was senior Isha Mangal, who placed third in her category with a singing performance.

Recently, Kumar said Saratoga Cares has expanded to a group of SHS students to help run the program.

“The talent show was a great way to help the local senior center fundraise while also earning a good amount of volunteer hours,” junior Suraj Mididaddi said.

The talent show not only helps donate money to a worthy cause but inspires young adults to follow their passions, said principal Paul Robinson, who again helped judge the event.

“As educators, we get caught up with what goes on inside the classroom,” Robinson said. “In truth, there's so much else that students do that bring them such passion and joy away from when they are learning.”

The proceeds from the talent show have quickly been integrated into the senior center’s annual events and renovations.

During the last two talent shows, the Saratoga Cares Foundation was able to raise over $10,000 for the center. However, in its first year, was able to break $19,000. This year, Kumar estimates that the organization raised around $10,000 with more than 266 people attending.

“Though this is only our fourth year, we will continue to hold this event to help support such an amazing cause,” Kumar said. “We hope to continue to fundraise for the senior center and most importantly bring the community together.”