Interim Leadership Change & Executive Search
The KidsFirst Board announced December 7th the appointment of Tilisa May to Interim Executive Director. The Executive Committee selected Tilisa May, the current KidsFirst Program Director, to serve as Interim Executive Director during an executive search. Tilisa has been a member of the KidsFirst Leadership Team for the past 3 years working closely with KidsFirst staff to deliver programs to over 12,000 families in just the past 12 months.
Tilisa emphasizes, "With the increasing needs of families in tough economic times, the dedicated staff and volunteers of KidsFirst focus on strengthening families through partnerships, navigating resources, and education. Everyone plays a part in creating strong families in our community."
DeAnne Thornton, former Executive Director, has stepped down. DeAnne was a member of the KidsFirst staff for over 11 years, serving as Executive Director for the past 4½ years.
"I am privileged to have worked with so many dedicated employees and volunteers who are advancing our mission and am grateful for the community's commitment to keeping children safe," states DeAnne.
Board President Scott Myers shared, "We celebrate and honor all that DeAnne has done for the agency, community, and especially for children and families throughout the Sierra-Sacramento region."
The KidsFirst Board announced December 7th the appointment of Tilisa May to Interim Executive Director. The Executive Committee selected Tilisa May, the current KidsFirst Program Director, to serve as Interim Executive Director during an executive search. Tilisa has been a member of the KidsFirst Leadership Team for the past 3 years working closely with KidsFirst staff to deliver programs to over 12,000 families in just the past 12 months.
"Putting FORE Kids"... Big Success!
Law Enforcement & Education linked up at the Inaugural "Putting FORE Kids" Golf Classic this past Fall. Friends and advocates gathered and funds were raised to provide child abuse prevention programs throughout the Sac-Sierra region.
Save the Date October 1, 2010 for Education and Law Enforcement's 2nd Annual "Putting FORE Kids" Golf Classic to help end child abuse. To see more photos, visit our Facebook photo page!
With whirlwind planning in less than 90 days and fielding over 100 golfers, our Honorary Chairs, Plac
er County Sheriff, Ed Bonner; Placer County Superintendent, Gayle Garbolino-Mojica; and Deputy District Attorney, Scott Owens underscored the impact of KidsFirst's programs. A dedicated volunteer committee led by the Honorary Chairs fielded the course at Turkey Creek Golf Club and raised critical funds to keep children safe.
KidsFirst Family Karnival Needs Help!
When KidsFirst was approached by student, Emily Mattevi from Del Oro High School asking to create a family event called the KidsFirst Family Karnival... We're ecstatic! This event is for the many families KidsFirst serves.Emily is planning the event excellently! However, we need assistance with volunteers and donations for supplies and prizes. Volunteers will be needed for shifts between 4-10pm on Friday, March 12th. The Karnival will be at Rock Creek Elementary in Auburn.
Here's Our Karnival Wish List:
- Bean Bag Toss Board - We need assistance creating a bean bag toss board that will be used at the Karnival. We would love to have it made out of particle board and decorated to match our carnival theme!
- Lollipop Tree - We need a volunteer to make a lollipop tree. Creativity encouraged!
- One dozen cupcakes or cookies (we need approximately 10-12 dozen) **This item needs to be delivered on March 10th or 11th
- (2) Rolls 2" Blue Painters Tape
- Lollipops (we need approximately 300 total)
- Bags of Children's Beads
- Assorted Candy
- Assorted Small Toys/Pencils (prizes for games)
- Bags of Balloons
These items need to be delivered to KidsFirst, 7311 Galilee Road, Ste. 105 in Roseville by Friday, February 26th.
If you're interested in helping or donating, please email Dana Wyatt at dwyatt@kidsfirstnow.org or call (916) 772-2272 x 10. We're excited to "clown-around" with you at the Karnival!
Gingerbread Extravaganza!
Forty-six children at KidsFirst Main Street were treated to a magical evening of frosting gingerbread houses, writing letters to Santa and decorating ornaments for their Christmas trees at the Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza! The children were absolutely giddy with excitement, or in some cases, perhaps a sugar rush from all that frosting and candy!
One grandparent commented, "Tonight has been so fun for my grandson. He is so proud of the gingerbread house that he has made and we appreciate the volunteers making this event happen for our family."
The Gingerbread Extravaganza was hosted again this year by volunteers from the National Charity League, Granite Bay.
A special thank you to Rene McDowell, Julie McAvoy and Tami Pink for their time, assistance and personal donations made to the ensure a sucessful event for the families. Also, thanks to: Erin Bell, Jessica Broadland, Christina Cobbin, Morgan Geiger, Laura Heinemann, Allie Krebs, Lauren McAvoy, Jennifer Ohlson, Alexandra Pink, Kendall Roth, Erin Salinas, Alexa Wolf and Stacey Wong for their time and for building all fifty gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate.
One grandparent commented, "Tonight has been so fun for my grandson. He is so proud of the gingerbread house that he has made and we appreciate the volunteers making this event happen for our family." The Gingerbread Extravaganza was hosted again this year by volunteers from the National Charity League, Granite Bay.
A special thank you to Rene McDowell, Julie McAvoy and Tami Pink for their time, assistance and personal donations made to the ensure a sucessful event for the families. Also, thanks to: Erin Bell, Jessica Broadland, Christina Cobbin, Morgan Geiger, Laura Heinemann, Allie Krebs, Lauren McAvoy, Jennifer Ohlson, Alexandra Pink, Kendall Roth, Erin Salinas, Alexa Wolf and Stacey Wong for their time and for building all fifty gingerbread houses for the kids to decorate.
A Generous Community Adopts 36 Families and More
The Roseville Galleria and KFBK presented KidsFirst's "Adopt A Child" event, raising over $3,500 in new clothing items. Community members selected ornament/s from a Giving Tree. The ornaments listed specific new clothing item needs for children and basic needs such as blankets, socks and underwear.
Construction Cares for Children also donated new bicycles to the families! Construction Cares for Children volunteers generously purchased, assembled and donated the bicycles. Three wonderful volunteers, Claude Bishop, Bob Christians and John Parks gathered at Cal Expo on a rainy Saturday morning, loaded their pickup trucks, and transported the bicycles.
IMPACT...The Gift of Time and Talent
On November 5th, KidsFirst volunteers came together to celebrate some of the year's accomplishments at the Volunteer Recognition Mixer. It was an opportunity for volunteers from all of KidsFirst's centers to meet and mingle and to hear the amazing accomplishments and impact that their donation of time and talent has made for the agency and for the families served through their efforts.
From July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, 154 volunteers and interns contributed 3,203 hours of service! These hours provided an afterschool program, enrichment and respite events, and counseling for families. The families served were treated to events such as the Pumpkin Carving Day, the Ice Cream Social, and the Spring Fling all planned entirely by volunteers.
Volunteers were thanked by members of staff and from the families. Each received a handmade lapel pin (painted by children) in the shape of a puzzle piece to represent their importance to KidsFirst's services.
KidsFirst Official Disney® Community Partner!
Did you know KidsFirst is participating in the Give A Day, Get A Disney® Day program? This program is currently available to all KidsFirst volunteers completing volunteer work with our agency since January 1, 2010. The program provides a free one-day ticket to those who perform a required number of service hours. If you are a current volunteer or would like to be considered for community service work that would qualify you for this program, please contact Dana Wyatt at dwyatt@kidsfirstnow.org.
We thought: What better way to reward our wonderful volunteers than to let them visit the Happiest Place on Earth?!? May all your dreams come true!
Imagination Boosts Caring!
Here are some creative ideas you can use to help KidsFirst keep kids safe!
- Use the cost of an event admission ticket instead as a donation to end child abuse.
- Ask your baby shower guests to donate in honor of your "Baby" rather than give a gift.
- Donate the savings of eating a meal at home instead of at a restaurant to programs that teach parents to manage family stress.
- Buy groceries with a SHARES card to help us provide great programs for kids.
