About
It's all about the smiles!
For more than 25 years, the KEYS Program has been delivering music, hope and smiles to children impacted by cancer & serious illnesses, and those in need of healing, through our award-winning music therapy outreach, family respite days and sibling support programs.
We serve children and adults of all ages and abilities. 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 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 27 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, and those in need of healing, through music outreach, education and advocacy.
KEYS provides award-winning patient and family support programs of music outreach, family respite days and sibling support programs that enhance and improve the quality of life of pediatric patients battling cancer and life-threatening illnesses. along with children and adults of all ages and abilities.
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 450 children impacted by cancer and serious illnesses each year in New York State, plus an additional 110 children outside of New York.
KEYS has Music Toolkits in 266 children's hospitals across the US and broadcasts music to sites that serve over 1.5 million pediatric patients each year.
KEYS provides music therapy and lessons to more than 100 special needs children and adults and nursing homes that serve Alzheimer and dementia patients in Central New York each year.
In addition, KEYS provides music therapy resources, information and the tools parents and caregivers need to implement music in the care of the children they serve every day.
Now that's a LOT of smiles!
“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!”
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.