gratis gives

Gratis Gives Supports the Following Non-Profits in Our Community. Click here to learn more about Gratis Gives.

  • nevada diabetes association
  • for kids foundation
  • safe embrace
  • the childrens cabinet
  • the care chest
  • safe talk
  • abonevada
  • wcc
  • step 2 reno
  • justin hope

Imagine a world where children do not suffer from the consequences of disease, disabilities or sadly the mental trauma due to parental abuse. 

For Kids Foundation believes such a world is possible and is striving to help by providing or aligning the resources necessary to help these children get the urgent and unconditional support they need today.  Whether medical, psychological or dental, we are committed to building or rebuilding the promise and potential of every child’s life, right here in Northern Nevada.

It has been a wild couple of months since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Silver State. Schools shut down on March 15, 2020, nonessential businesses were shuttered, unemployment numbers have skyrocketed, and everyday items like toilet paper and hand sanitizer have become coveted commodities.

Many local nonprofits stepped up to meet the needs of our children, like our friends at Communities in Schools Nevada and Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Fortunately, For Kids Foundation has remained “open for business.” Telecommuting from a small home office, we have continued to carry out our mission of funding the urgent, unmet medical, dental, and psychological needs of Northern Nevada children.  These needs are now, perhaps, magnified by our current socioeconomic situation: parents’ unemployment, loss of daily school and social routines, and inability to visit friends and family. Our Program, more than ever, is needed to fill in the gaps to provide urgent funding when no one else will. 

We started 2020 with an optimistic bang, welcoming three new Board members, Mat Anderson, Matt Rittenhouse, and Greg Raleigh.  These fine local businessmen came to For Kids Foundation because of their love for our community and desire to assist children in need.  

February introduced us to the Alliance with Washoe County Medical Society (AWCMS). For Kids Foundation and Eddy House (local nonprofit assisting homeless youth) shared proceeds from the AWCMS’ Annual Mardi Gras Gala. Donning protective face masks, members of AWCMS presented Cheri Hill, For Kids Foundation Board Chairwoman, with a $25,000 check generated from that event. We are so grateful for their support and opportunity to share our mission with their community.

Sadly, we were forced to postpone (note, postponed not canceled!) the April Polka Dance Party fundraiser to protect the health of our supporters during the pandemic.  And, boy, was it going to be an awesome event with a live entertainment by Corky and the Wienerschnitzels, Bavarian cuisine, and dancing the night away to support our kids! Stay tuned for a reschedule date, most likely in 2021.

Our dedicated Board of Directors, some avid golfers, enthusiastically continue to plan for our 4th Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, September 18, 2020, at Wolf Run Golf Course in Reno.  We believe by then everyone will be ready to enjoy some late summer sun, socialize (at a safe distance), and help us raise some serious money to support Program Awards for some of Northern Nevada’s most vulnerable children. Check out details from last year’s mega event here: 3rd Annual Golf Tournament.

As stated, we have been so fortunate to have remained open during the pandemic; to be in a financial position to continue to help fund urgent requests for assistance; and have support from wonderful local organizations like Cigar Lions Club (computers), Healthy Smile Healthy Child (dental care), and Sleep in Heavenly Peace (beds). 

We have funded more than $25,000 of awards to local children so far this year. We have shifted primary focus to medical, dental, and psychological emergencies during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Last month we received a request from a single, high-risk pregnant mother of one. She had no one to care for her child while hospitalized for what was regarded as a high-risk labor and delivery fraught with potential complications. Our Board approved her request, giving her peace of mind during a uniquely stressful time. Last we heard, the baby was safely delivered and Mom returned home, truly appreciative of our funding for 24-hour childcare. Check out Lives Changed on our website to read stories of other kids we’ve helped.

We are grateful to community partners, like Front Office Staff, who provides in-kind virtual receptionist services allowing us time to devote to helping our kids.

During the pandemic, many of our children are in isolation and don’t have contact outside the home. Please be watchful and look out for them–and each other.

 

Stay well, 

Annie Goni-Stewart

annie@forkidsfoundation.com

Executive Director, For Kids Foundation

forkidsfoundation.org

Foundation Number: 775-741-5231