Throughout its history, K.I.D.S. has worked closely with social service organizations that provide academic, developmental and/or skill development to children in their communities. Among such organizations are the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to whom K.I.D.S. provides books for after-school programs and games for developmental growth. K.I.D.S. also works with a broad range of other such agencies including Neediest Kids, the Ronald McDonald Houses and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
In addition to these social service organizations, K.I.D.S. partners with some other major national not-for-profit organizations to impact the lives of needy children. Most prominent among these are:
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Books on Bases
Books on Bases, Smiles on Faces is a new program from K.I.D.S. and the military family support organization Blue Star Families (BSF). The goal of this program is to have a positive impact on children from military families by providing them with new books donated to family libraries on military bases, Department of Defense schools and military impacted public schools. Supporting military children is an important focus for both K.I.D.S. and BSF because their mental health and education are significantly affected when a parent is called up for deployment. For the remainder of 2009, K.I.D.S. and BSF will distribute 10,000 books to bases in the Southeastern United States. Activities in other states are developing as BSF communicates with its 70 chapters to assess additional needs. For announcements about future events, visit BlueStarFam.org. |
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Soles4Souls
Two organizations. One mission. Since 2008, K.I.D.S. and Soles4Souls have been working together to distribute new badly needed shoes to families around the United States. In a joint mobilization for Haiti, the two organizations together recently delivered over 156,000 pairs of shoes and 85,000 shirts worth $5.5 million, to those fighting for survival in this devastated nation. Under our partnership with Soles4Souls, K.I.D.S. has become a key distributor of new shoes donated to children in need. Manufacturers and retailers with excess new shoes can contact Soles4Souls to start the donation process. |
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Operation Homefront
Over the past few years, K.I.D.S. and Operation Homefront have partnered to provide military families living on bases while a loved one is fighting for our security overseas with products to help improve their children's development. In 2008, through the Operation Homefront Network, K.I.D.S. distributed over $2 million worth of merchandise to military bases in 18 different states touching up to 50,000 individuals. |
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First Candle
First Candle is committed to promoting and improving infant health and safety to prevent the loss of life through Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (S.I.D.S.). K.I.D.S. and First Candle have joined in a National Crib program to provide needy families throughout the country with safe cribs so that their children will sleep in a healthy environment. |
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