Working with KARE for Kids over the past few years has been a tremendous blessing in my life. KARE's one and only purpose is to help children in need in Dawson County. KARE stays true to this purpose all year long, helping children with school supplies, clothing, coats, shoes, eye glasses and then the biggest event, Christmas. KARE makes sure that every child in need receives Christmas gifts. But not just random gifts, items that the children have actually requested. This level of detail requires alot of time and effort and it is amazing to see all the countless hours committed to KARE by all volunteers. (KARE is run completely by volunteers.) From the fund raisers to comminity events, KARE is working hard to make the world a brighter place, one child at a time
As a school administrator, I've seen first hand how KARE FOR KIDS has changed lives. Principals and teachers know that if a child in their school faces a crisis that KARE FOR KIDS is only a phone call away. They began with a simple mission of insuring that all children in our county had a wonderful Christmas, but soon expanded their services to help children who lacked school supplies and now provide prom dresses for students who would otherwise miss this event. KARE FOR KIDS has also provided emergency aid to families without power and heat. There seems to be no end to their kindness and concern for the children in our community.
KARE for kids is a great nonprofit group that helps meet the needs of children that are in financial need - but one of the most interesting thing KARE does is try to make sure the children know where the help is coming form or even that they are even having to get help. We work close with parents and get them the supplies the children may need for school or Christmas wishes and try not to even let the children know. I enjoy volunteering & working to help the kids!
My husband & I have volunteered for KARE for Kids for many years and love what the organization stands for. Weather they are helping children in need at Christmas or at various times of the year, KARE has proven to be detrimental to our community. So many children are served thru the year by one or more outreach efforts by a great group of volunteers. Tireless efforts of the volunteers keep KARE going year after year!
KARE for Kids has blessed me with such wonderful experiences and friendships over the years! Most importantly, they have blessed so many families and children in our community. From back to school efforts, medical needs thru the year, Christmas, & community events for children, to assisting with prom dues and dresses - KARE for Kids serves so many! KARE also has helped get sponsors for students to go to state competitions thru our high school HOSA program. Those students otherwise would not have been able to attend because of money - what a shame when the brains were there! KARE invests in the future...our children!
Kare for Kids has an outstanding reputation for providing assistance for children in our county. Not only do they provide Christmas joy for many families, but they also help individuals throughout the year with specific healthcare and clothing needs. Kare for Kids has yet to turn down a request to participate in projects that will help children. They are a strong partner in our project that provides school supplies to children of low-income families.
KARE stands for Kids Are Really Equal. Kids deserve a fair chance at life regardless of the circumstances beyond their control. They are faced with a lot of stumbling blocks as they grow up in the world today. Small things such as a new pair of tennis shoes for gym class made a young man feel adequate enough to survive in his middle school environment. Kids know when they are different and it hinders their mere existence. As a volunteer for over 25 years, I am truly amazed at the strength this organization carries in our small community. Together, we have made a difference in the lives of many children and will continue to do so with the support of other "KARING" people.
Kare For Kids is a wonderful organization of volunteers who work tirelessly to provide for needy children in our community. The volunteers and financial supporters of KARE truly feel the need of the children and do all they can to provide for that need. I have tremendous respect and admiration for each of the volunteers who devote so much of their time to this cause as well as each person and/or organization who donates their hard earned money to see needs fulfilled. Needs such as Christmas gifts, school supplies, clothing, shoes, educational scholarships, prom, the list goes on and on. With such a growing need, our community is so blessed to have KARE and the people who support it!
Most recently my daughter and I donated some prom dresses to the foundation. I love the idea of helping the older youth in this community experience and participate in opportunities that otherwise they may not be able to. To have the fore thought to recognize the need and organize an event by collecting dresses and monetary donation to help defer the cost of attending prom I think is great. I have also been a recipient of the Kare for Kids organization. As many people have fallen on hard times recently due to the economy and in my case also a recent divorce, knowing that Kare for Kids was available to help with Christmas items for my family and others in this community is an overwhelming feeling. What I know of the organization is seems to be well run and dedicated to helping those in need. So many students in the schools face challenges and burdens at home and by Kare for Kids making school supplies available to start the school year off is wonderful. It not only helps out the families but the teachers as well and allows the student to begin another year and make great strides towards being a successful learner.
Kare for Kids is an extraordinary organization that ensures that not only the needs but the wants of the children in our community are met. From providing school supplies to Christmas presents to prom dresses, they help brighten the lives of our children and youth. Through Kare's love, support and effort, every child in our community is given joy and hope. Kare for Kids is a wonderful blessing to our community and I feel very privileged to work with such an outstanding organization!
I have been volunteering with KARE for Kids many years now. I've made some great friends but the greatest experience I have had throughout my experience is the day we give out Christmas gifts each year.
The organization has grown from helping a couple hundred kids a year to over 700 in 2010. We work really hard all through the year to get gifts for these kids. There are weeks close to Christmas that I work 50, 60 hours and that is after getting off from my paid job. I'm not in this boat alone. Many of the volunteers are right along with me. Someone once asked me why I do it. Well, I do it for the kids. Every child deserves a Christmas like my own kids do. We purchase each child on our list 3 outfits, jacket, shoes, and 3 toys that they have requested (from Santa Claus). The parents pick up these items and give them to their children from them and Santa. Not KARE. We want no actual recognition, but we could always use additional funding. The day we give out these items, we get so many teary eyed hugs. That's all the pay I need.
Interested in KARE for Kids as a volunteer or a donor, see www.kareforkids.us or just give us a call at 706-216-KARE (5273). We'd love to hear from you.
Sincerely, Robin Smith
Board Member
Active Volunteer