I Can Be Whatever I Want to Be

Cinderella sang it.

She believed it with her whole heart.

At Kids Five and Over, we believe it too. 

Imagine this:  A 10-year-old girl dreams of being a gymnast.  She uses the small space in front of her bedroom mirror to practice handstands and backbends, and she choreographs short routines for the make-believe audience that surrounds her.  She throws her hands proudly in the air when her routine ends and acknowledges the judges who critique her every move.  She steps off the imaginary mat and waits nervously for her score. 

And then it happens...10!  A perfect score!  10!  The crowd roars!  10!  She wins GOLD!

***

Imagine this:  A 10-year-old girl dreams of being a gymnast.  There's barely enough money in the house for food, never mind gymnastic lessons.  The clothing allowance needs to be spent on shoes, not leotards.  Gymnastic lessons are out of the question.  She never even asks.  Dream crushed.

***

Same story.  Same girl.  One is dreaming in the way all 10-year-olds should dream.  The other is struck with the heavy reality of life.

We met that girl this week - the girl who dreams and the girl whose dreams were crushed.  We met her at a gymnastic studio.  She was nominated for support from Kids Five and Over and because we have Board members living near the Studio, we were able to see firsthand what it looks like when a little girl wears her first leotard and step onto the mat for a lesson.

It was pure joy.

What a thrill to witness what Kids Five and Over is doing for children like the one mentioned above.  For less than $175, we were able to give her gymnastic lessons all summer long - every day if she wants - and three sparkly leotards of her very own.

And then came the chain reaction -  From there we saw a kind-hearted Mom step in to make sure that little girl had a pretty bag for her clothes and a handful of hair ties for her hair.  Watching the kindness continue beyond the support of Kids Five and Over was rewarding on a whole different level.

Our 10-year-old felt like Cinderella that day.  Her tired gym shorts turned into a red leotard with sequin hearts and peace signs.  The plastic grocery bag that carried her clothes turned into a pink and white striped gym bag.  The rubber band that held her ponytail turned into fancy black hair tie.

And at midnight, it all still belonged to her.

Our mission is so important.  We can't stress that enough.  There are children who need opportunities to explore the wonderful possibilities that life has to offer; Children who deserve to dream big and have their dreams come true.  It's not about hair ties and leotards, it's about having a dream and knowing deep in your heart that someone, somehow will help you reach it.

Write to us at KidsFiveAndOver@gmail.com if you know a child with a dream, and let us know how we can help.

Visit our website at KidsFiveAndOver.org if you want to help sponsor a child.

Happily ever after doesn't always have to start with Once upon a time. 

Happily ever after starts with all of us.

Big News!

We have really big news...

Big grant news...

Kids Five and Over is the recipient of a $1,000 seed grant from the Pollination Project.  Did you notice the zeros?  That's one THOUSAND dollars!  We are beyond thrilled!

This is an incredible honor for so many reasons.  First, the Pollination Project is an organization that epitomizes the phrase "people helping people."  It is volunteerism and philanthropy at its finest.

The Pollination Project is the brain-child of Dallas-based entrepreneur Ari Nessel.  Every day of the year, the Pollination Project plans to donate $1,000 to "ordinary people doing extraordinary things."  They are looking for change-makers who are working to make the world a better place.

Ordinary people...  Yep, that's us.

Extraordinary things...  Oh, we really, really hope so!

To be acknowledged by the incredible people at the Pollination Project and have their vote of confidence in our work is such an honor.  We encourage you to visit their website and learn more about their mission  www.thepollinationproject.org.  Among other things, you will find the following inspirational quotes:

To make the change, we must first be the change.  

The answer is in us.  

The world changes when we do.

So, how will we spend our $1,000 in seed money? The news only gets better.

Our dream of building a nonprofit to help children explore their natural gifts is taking shape and we have been encouraged and energized by the response and support of kindhearted people everywhere.  When we began this journey, we made a promise to never, ever, ever (ever!) make a personal profit on monies raised and we will always stay true that promise.

We also made a promise to keep our expenses low, but starting a nonprofit and deciding to apply for 501(c)3 status gets a little expensive - Ok, very expensive.  The 501(c)3 application required a big check. Too big for our little nonprofit.  Getting our website up and running meant another check.  A few months ago, those little start-up checks began adding up and we started to feel a little deflated.

Enter the Pollination Project.

Thanks to the Pollination project, our start-up costs are covered and now, 100% of all donations go directly to children.

It's a dream come true.

The announcement of our grant came today.  You will find it here http://thepollinationproject.org/2013/06/04/linda-beal-kids-five-and-over/  You will also see the smiling faces of our Kids Five and Over Board and our Junior Board members who are learning the importance of paying it forward.

Thank you Pollination Project!  Thank you oh, so much!

KidsFiveAndOver.org

Kind Heart, Generous Soul

Congratulations to Scott McKee, Board member for Kids Five and Over, for winning the Taste of the Nation Leadership Award for his volunteer work with Share Our Strength Seacoast, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America.

If you're unfamiliar with Share Our Strength, visit their website and learn about the important and necessary work they are doing at both a national and local level.  You will be inspired. http://www.nokidhungry.org/solution/ending-childhood-hunger

Childhood hunger is a bigger problem than most of us realize.  Funds raised through Taste of the Nation and Share Our Strength help our young ones find meals on their tables.  You can take the pledge to help end childhood hunger here: http://www.nokidhungry.org/pledge/action

If you need further inspiration, read this great article about Scott in this week's local newspaper: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20130605-NEWS-306050369.

He's the real deal.

Congratulations, Scott!

www.KidsFiveAndOver.org

Taking Our Cue From the Kids

We've been walking in circles for a few weeks trying to figure out when and how to continue our mission of raising money to help kids.  Not to say our mission isn't important, but clearly the crisis that hit 50 miles south of us last month created an unspoken hierarchy in terms of fundraising needs and we wholeheartedly agreed with that hierarchy.  Out of respect for those wounded at the Boston Marathon bombing, we pushed the pause button for a bit.  It was the right thing to do.  We've followed their stories, we've been inspired by their tenacity and resilience, and we are keenly aware of the fact that their needs continue long after the media pack up and leave.

We are proud of the organizers of the One Fund for the work they are doing to help our Boston friends. While no amount of money will erase what happened on Marathon Monday, the One Fund has the potential to fill some financial holes, connect people with much needed resources and bring support to those looking for ways to heal.  Please visit this important organization at www.onefundboston.org if you are interested in learning more about how you can help.

But what about Kids Five and Over? 

When we first launched Kids Five and Over, people asked, "Where will you find kids to sponsor?" It was a question that caught us by surprise.  The truth is, kids who need support are everywhere - literally everywhere - and they are often the ones putting on the brave face.  They are typically really good at the brave face.

All of us who volunteer at Kids Five and Over spend at least part of our days in the company of children. We've learned that children don't always know what kind of help they need or what kind of spark they possess, but they do know how to send signs. And when signs are strong, they find us.

That is exactly what happened a few weeks ago.

In a series of text messages and emails, we were introduced to a 7-year-old boy who, in his young life, has been presented with a life-plate that most adults would find challenging.  The details won't be shared here, but what's important to know is that he's a baseball player.  A good one.  A few weeks ago he took the field to pitch in his first game and something magical happened. He found he had a hidden talent and it caught him by surprise.

Messages came from Moms in the stands:

"You should see him pitch!  Unbelievable!  He's glowing!"

"He's really coming into his own this year!  He looks amazing out there!"

"He has grown so much.  This REALLY matters to him!  He's beaming!"

When his glove fell apart mid-game, we knew we'd found our sign.  By the next game, we'd purchased a new glove and begun conversations about how to support his training through local opportunities.

We are a young nonprofit - barely three months old - and we don't have the leverage or resources to make a difference on a wider scale like the One Fund, but we can plant seeds and provide experiences that have great impact down the road.  That is our place.  That is where we belong.  And no matter what big things happen in the world around us, there will always be a place for our efforts. We circle around individuals and families and create change on a micro level with the hope that those changes will have macro results.

There are kids needing support everywhere.  There are kids with gifts and talents who need mentors.  There are kids sending signs and silently asking for help.  There are kids who put on brave faces every day of their lives. Every day.  Everywhere.  It happens when cities are chaotic and when they are quiet.  It happens no matter what events, big or small, are headlining the evening news.

It's time to get back to work.

If you know a child in need of support from Kids Five and Over, visit our website at www.KidsFiveAndOver.org or contact us at KidsFiveandOver@gmail.com and let us know how we can help. 

A Beautiful Day in the City

We took a road trip to Boston today.  It was a beautiful spring day.  A perfect day, actually.

We walked from Copley Square to Faneuil Hall, down Boylston Street, to Newbury Street and through the Public Gardens.  Sidewalks were crowded with people and laughter was in the air.  The energy of the city was palpable.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day.  It seemed like every tulip opened its eyes to the world today.

Just two weeks ago, Boston was a war zone.  Today, flowers bloomed on schedule.  The make-shift memorial for the victims of the marathon bombing had been reduced to an unmarked space with a few Boston policemen standing by.

But people know.  People remember.  People leave teddy bears and flowers and messages written on the sidewalk in chalk.  People find trees just a few steps from where the first bomb exploded and hang momentos as if they're Christmas ornaments.

People bring "Boston Strong" stickers and place them on the trunk of a tree.  People don't forget. People won't ever forget.

(Proud of 14-year-old Nick for pulling that sticker out of his pocket and placing it on the tree.  Even prouder that he thought to bring it with him.)

Boston IS strong.  It really is.  To be there in that space, to walk the streets and see the city so alive, to know the energy is real and the city is stronger, brings great comfort.  It doesn't erase the tragedy of two weeks ago or take away the pain and suffering - mentally and physically - of the hundreds of people who stood at the finish line anticipating celebratory hugs.  It does, however, remind us that when people work together and pool resources, so much is possible.

www.onefundboston.org

In only a few weeks, The One Fund has raised over twenty-seven million dollars to help those people most affected by the events of April 15th.  Twenty-seven million!  

People helping people. It's how it's supposed to be.

We encourage you to contribute to The One Fund if you haven't already.  As Governor Patrick said, “At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.”  He is most certainly right.

 ***

We will return in a couple days with an update on our own mission to help people and the story of a young boy whose moment in the spotlight served as the signal for Kids Five and Over to release the pause button and get back to work.

Check in again soon...

Pushing the Pause Button

After yesterday's tragic event at the Boston Marathon, we find ourselves at a loss for words.  Stunned.  Sad.  There are some things that will never make sense no matter how hard we try to understand them.

People often talk about regaining a sense of normalcy, moving forward, and getting back into a routine and we understand the reasons for that, but at Kids Five and Over we are opting to push the pause button and think about those people who were affected by the tragedy.  Four young people lost their lives, hundreds were injured, and countless others saw images they may never be able to erase from their minds.

We turn to Fred Rogers to help us reframe our thinking during this period of pause -

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.'"

Our thanks to the people who are helping. Your bravery and selflessness is inspiring. Thank you for reminding us that good always wins and that helping others is always the right thing to do.

Kids Helping Kids

Doesn't it warm your heart when you see kids helping kids?  Doesn't it make you feel proud and hopeful all at the same time?

Soon after we launched our nonprofit, a teacher from Rye Elementary school named Jacquie, reached out and said she wanted to help.  Together with her Student Council, she organized a fundraiser that raised over $125!  The fundraiser took place on Opening Day for the Boston Red Sox.  Students were invited to wear their favorite baseball jersey, cap or hat and if they wanted to wear their hat all day, they were asked to donate $1.  All monies raised were earmarked for Kids Five and Over.   Baseball (Red Sox!), teamwork, pooling resources, and kids helping kids.  It warms our heart in so many ways!

To the students at Rye Elementary School - Thank you for reaching out to help children you may never meet.  Your kindness will be remembered.   Always.

To Jacquie - Thank you for being a role model of kindness for your students.  You reached out to us with enthusiasm and energy because you believe in the mission of Kids Five and Over, yet we've never met.  Thank you for reaching out.  Thank you for being you.

How lucky we are to have teachers like Jacquie shaping the lives of young children.

Thank you Rye Elementary School!  High Fives and Hugs from all of us at Kids Five and Over!