OK, Kid Flicks is pretty much one of the greatest charities ever. Here’s why: 17-year-old Marni and 15-year-old Berni Barta from Los Angeles realized one day that they had a ton of old movies that they didn’t watch anymore. Instead of throwing them out or pushing them in a corner to gather dust, the sisters decided that kids undergoing treatment in hospitals might like to watch them—and boy, were they right!
Marni and Berni got the word out about their project through emails, letters, fundraisers, and collection drives at school. They even wrote to big movie studio executives to ask for DVD donations. Every time they gathered 100 films, Marni and Berni sent them to a children’s hospital in hopes of entertaining kids while they fight their illnesses.
Today, Kid Flicks has collected more than 28,700 movies and have donated to 287 hospitals across the nation and in South Africa. Read on for more info about these very special Flikchics!
Maeve Kaplan-Taylor: Hey Marni and Berni! When you started Kid Flicks in 2002, did you ever think it would get so super-successful?!
Marni & Berni: In 2002, Kid Flicks started with a simple idea, donating our own family’s movies to a local hospital. Once we made the donation and saw how appreciative the hospital staff was about it, we decided to collect as many movies as possible to help as many hospitals -- and therefore kids -- as possible.
We had no idea it would become what it is today. It has been very exciting to see that kids can really make a difference in other kids’ lives and inspire other kids to do the same.
MKT: Wow—you’re sooo right. As Kid Flicks got bigger and bigger, how did you prepare yourselves for such an HUGE responsibility?
M&B: As Kid Flicks became more of a responsibility, we discovered the importance of working as a team. Together we are able to accomplish a lot, and it has brought us even closer as sisters.
MKT: OK, but be honest, do you guys fight and stuff like regular sisters?
M&B: Kid Flicks has definitely brought us closer together as sisters. We have always been best friends, but the experience of working together to help other kids has definitely strengthened our relationship. Like most sisters, we occasionally have a little argument over something silly; but in the end, we always overcome it.
MKT: How does it feel to give kids who might be stuck in hospitals for a long time such an important gift—MOVIES?!
M&B: It is so heart-warming when we receive letters from the hospitals thanking us for our donations and telling us how much the kids appreciate them. A few years ago, we personally delivered a “movie library” to a children’s hospital and got to meet the kids.
When we got there, they had painted a sign that said, “Thank you, Kid Flicks,” and they were all so excited as they looked through the boxes and found their favorite movies. It was a very touching experience that inspired us to continue to work on Kid Flicks and help more kids.
MKT: That's amazing. So, you recently met President George W. Bush when he gave you the President’s Volunteer Service Award. That’s big stuff! How did it feel to get that honor?
M&B: The whole experience was very exciting. We were so honored to receive the award and to meet President Bush. It was hard to believe it was actually happening. After he got off the plane, he came over to us and gave us pins, and he was very nice and friendly. After he left on a helicopter with Arnold Schwarzenegger (the governor of California), his head pilot gave us and our parents a tour of Air Force One.
MKT: Wow! How fabulous! What’s next for Kid Flicks, and how can Beacon Street Girls fans help?
M&B: Our goal is to donate a “movie library” to every children’s hospital in the United States. You can help by sending DVD donations or even starting your own Kid Flicks movie collection drive in your community. We’re appreciative of all donations, large and small, even one DVD.
MKT: Oh, I've got a few... hundred... films stashed away. I'll be sure to donate! What a great cause -- thanks, girls!
FYI: To learn more about Kid Flicks and how YOU can donate your old DVDs, visit www.kidflicks.org.
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Marni’s Faves!
Music: The Format
Book: the Harry Potter series
Sport/Activity: field hockey
Color: blue
Subject in School: math
Personal Style: vintage
Must-Have Beauty Product: hair conditioner
Career Ambition: not sure yet
Words to Live By: Don’t be afraid of the unfamiliar.
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Berni’s Faves!
Music: Jack Johnson
Book: the Harry Potter series
Sport/Activity: singing and acting
Color: pink
Subject in School: Spanish
Personal Style: trendy
Must-Have Beauty Product: lip gloss
Career Ambition: singer/actress
Words to Live By: treat others as you want to be treated
Read about other kids doing FAB stuff for the world!
Cell Phones for Soldiers
The Children's Bilingual Theater
you tell us ...
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the comment above? VOTE!
I would go with Alvin and the chipmunks, Aquamarine, and The thirteenth year 
