Sunday, December 2, 2012

An Open Letter, Apology, and Invitation to Keep Kids Alive!


KKAD25 Supporters in Georgetown, TX

Dear Friends of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25,

I appreciate you taking a few minutes to read this letter all the way through.

At this time of year, and even throughout the year, we all receive many requests to donate in support of great causes – locally, nationally, and internationally. As a non-profit 501c3 organization, you all know that I have sent out plenty of requests for support for the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25.

I apologize if these requests seem too numerous at times throughout the year. I am acutely aware that every ask may seem an uninvited intrusion into your time and your resources as well. That is what prompts this letter.

As I am aware that donation requests can come off as unwanted solicitation, I also am aware on a daily basis of the need for funds to keep Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 viable, as the need to find funds tugs at my heart. In 2012 these funds have come to us in four ways:
  •  Personal donations = $17,975.00 (Unrestricted individual donations as well as for annual Run to Remember)
  • Corporate sponsorships = $15,300
  • Corporate/Private foundation donations = $6,950
  •  Revenue from sale of KKAD25 yard signs, streets signs, & trash can decals = $12,225.00

Total Funds = $52,450 Generated by 180 individual and 12 corporate donors. Although limited in numbers, truly our supporters are a generous lot.

Snapshot of what Donor Generosity has accomplished:

1,400+ = Number of communities served since 1998. This includes 49 U.S. States, 3 Canadian Provinces, an Australian State, and the Bahamas.
80+ = Number of communities served in 2012 (start-up resources, on-site consultations, community presentations, support of school-based initiatives, and more). 
31 = Number of states represented by these communities, in addition to first campaign in Australia
61 = Families served through Annual “Run to Remember”
5 = Communities identified to initiate GEICO sponsored pilots for “America’s Trash Talks to Keep Kids Alive”

Even with the generosity of current donors, as we head towards 2013 we need to expand the number of individual donors, corporate donors/sponsors, and corporate/private foundations committed to growing the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25. From Census data we know that over 310 million potential donors could make a decision to support Keep Kids Alive Drive 25. Our board of directors has set an ambitious goal of $225,000.  We must raise more money in order to truly realize our two-fold mission, which is: 

1) To serve communities in creating comprehensive traffic safety education campaigns that engage residents as front-line solutions to the problems we create - speeding, stop-sign running, etc. in neighborhoods, and beyond. (First and foremost our goal is to help reduce the 90+ loved ones - on average - who die each day on America's roadways)

2) To serve and support families who experience the death of a loved one due to a traffic incident.

In part, money raised will go to establish two unique support systems for communities and families.

1) To establish a fund to visit directly with families of victims of traffic incidents to support them in setting up legacies to preserve the love and memory of their loved ones - events, memorials, foundations, etc.

2) To establish an education fund to allow for on-site presentations and consultations for communities/organizations committed to initiating KKAD25 campaigns.

As we work towards these goals, as always we are here to serve whoever contacts us for support, whether in developing and implementing a local “Keep Kids Alive” campaign or to support a family who has experienced the death of a loved one due to a traffic incident. We do all we can regardless of limits of our current funding. We are driven by the reality that on average over 90 loved ones lose their lives to traffic incidents each day in America. Every one of these loved ones is someone's daughter, son, brother, sister, friend. 

With this in mind, I invite you to consider coming on board as a donor to Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 through a tax-deductible donation by December 31st. There are three ways you can do so:

    1.   Click on KKAD25 Donate
    2.   Send a check to:

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144
    3.   Become a monthly donor in one of two ways:

-Donate on-line through KKAD25 Network for Good
-Via a monthly draft through your checking account. You can set this up through your bank.

I welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly about any questions or opportunities you see for 2013. In the meantime, know that your generous giving does indeed keep kids living.

Safe travel always,
Tom Everson
Executive Director & Founder
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144
402-334-1391 Office
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Monday, November 26, 2012


Group of kids with Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 sign
It's About Kids! It's About Safety!  It's About Caring! It's About Time!®

It’s Giving Tuesday Across America!

Four ways you can give to help Keep Kids Alive on Giving Tuesday, and throughout the year.

1.   Become a donor to support the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25. You can make your tax-deductible donation in any amount at KKAD25 Donate. A personal Thank You Note will arrive in your mail within the week. All gifts of $10.00 or more will receive complimentary KKAD25 trashcan decals to help take the message curbside. Thank you! Your generous giving keeps kids living.

2.   Give the gift of life to those you love and all others on and around roadways by virtue of your safe driving behaviors. Check out how you can give at “Rules of the Road are all about Relationships.”

3.   Give the gift of a Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 campaign to your neighborhood, school, business, or the whole community. All the tools to help you get started are free at KKAD25-Get Started. Call 402-334-1391 to talk about possibilities.

4.   Give the gift of a Keep Kids Alive Drive 25®, Be Aware! Drive With Care®, No Need to Speed® or Check Your Speed® Yard Sign or Trash Can Decals to a family member or neighbor. Order today at KKAD25 Signs or KKAD25 Decals.

Check out the good your giving has done in the past year at 2012 in Review.
Thanks for you support. Because of you, Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 the mission lives.

Safe travels,
Tom
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Rules of the Road are all about Relationships



Rules of the Road are all about Relationships

As many of us head out this Thanksgiving, please remember that the rules of the road exist to keep relationships alive – with our children, with parents, with brothers and sisters, with friends. Safe driving is all about our relationships with everyone else on the road – each person we pass on the road, as well as those in our own vehicle, is loved by many. So let’s commit to:


Observe the speed limit, and slow in the presence of children at play, cyclists, pedestrians, and when weather dictates we do so.

Observe stop signs, stop lights, and all other traffic signs and signals.

Practice safe space management 

Hang up and drive, help keep everyone alive 
(this includes hands-free devices)

Buckle up everyone, every trip, no matter how short the distance

In short, Be Aware! Drive With Care® 
this Thanksgiving Weekend, and beyond.


And Remember, if you are in a position to do so, please make your year-end tax-deductible donation to support the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 at KKAD25 Donate

It's About Kids! It's About Safety!  It's About Caring! It's About Time!®

Safe travels always,
Tom Everson
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
402-334-1391
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Keeping Kids Alive in 2013


 It's About Kids! It's About Safety! It's About Caring! It's About Time!®

Dear Friends,

Thank you for being a part of the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25.

As 2012 winds down, are you in a position to donate $25.00, or more/less, to support the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25?

If so, why should you make your tax-deductible donation now?

In addition to what others have to say about our mission at KKAD25 Review or Testimonials, the best reasons I know is to tell you what Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® has been able to do on a budget of $60,000 in the past year. Here goes!

  • Year-to-date we have supported development or expansion of educational campaigns in 81 communities representing 30 states.

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Kick-off in Maplewood, NJ
  • Support the families of 64 loved ones who have died in traffic incidents through our 6th Run to Remember as part of the Pikes Peak Ascent Trail Race. Here's a photo of Russ Lloyd, Shannon's dad. Shannon died in 2001 at age 7. Russ decided to join our Run to Remember team in commemoration of 2012 as the year Shannon would have graduated high school. To say we were inspired is an understatement. 
  
 
  • Our first ever Keep Kids Alive 5K Run/Walk to Remember in Omaha, NE. Here's a photo from that run - the last two finisher's, Kimberly Remmereid, mother of Kylie who died in a late 2011 crash, walking side-by-side with Sam, one of Kylie's best friends who survived the same crash, but lost the use of her right arm. Another incredibly inspirational moment.
   
 
  • Set the platform for implementation of 5 regional pilot projects funded through GEICO Philanthropic Fund to seed "America's Trash Talks to Keep Kids Alive" in neighborhoods throughout the U.S. In addition AAA Nebraska joined us in this campaign by distributing decals through all their local offices.   

America's Trash Talks in Joliet, IL
  • Implementation of "It's Not A Race! Create Space®" in cooperation with Nebraska-based freight carriers. Here's a photo from FCC Trucking.

  • Made numerous neighborhood, school, and civic organization presentations to educate and engage citizens in our mission throughout the U.S.

Our mission continues to be two-fold:

1) To serve communities in creating comprehensive traffic safety education campaigns that engage residents as front-line solutions to the problems we create - speeding, stop-sign running, etc. (First and foremost our goal is to help reduce the 90+ loved ones - on average - who die each day on America's roadways)

2) To serve and support families who experience the death of a loved one due to a traffic incident.


We continue to work with and through existing organizations to move our mission forward. This includes local law enforcement, public works, city government, schools, neighborhood/homeowners associations, businesses of all kinds, and civic organizations. Our all volunteer board of directors is instrumental in providing guidance and direction in carrying through our efforts.

August marked the 14th anniversary of the inception of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25. In that time the campaign has served citizens in over 1,400 U.S. communities representing 49 states. In addition, communities in three Canadian Provinces, the Bahamas, and Australia have all implemented campaigns. Hundreds of thousands have been reached through our educational efforts, which include:






  
 
                    

     

We are proud of what we have accomplished on a limited budget, but we know much needs to be done in order to reach a "tipping point" wherein Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® traffic safety education messages are recognized and embraced in every community in the U.S.

I invite you to help us to continue to grow our mission by making a year-end tax deductible donation of $25.00 (or more if you are in a position to do so). You can make your donation on-line at KKAD25 Donate or send a check to:

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144


If you are open to becoming a monthly donor, two options are open.

1. Donate on-line through KKAD25 Network for Good
2. Via a monthly draft through your checking account. You can set this up through your bank.

I welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly about any questions or opportunities you see for 2013. In the meantime, know that your generous giving does indeed keep kids living.

Safe travels always,
Tom Everson
Executive Director & Founder
Keep Kids Alive Drive 25® - A Non-Profit "For Action" Organization 501(c)(3)
12418 C Street
Omaha, NE 68144
402-334-1391 Office
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org 
























Monday, September 24, 2012

Tamara Hill Runs in Tim's Memory and to Keep Kids Alive



Tim Hill, Age 12, North Las Vegas, NV

Tamara Hill will "Run to Remember" in memory of her son, Tim - see photo - at the "Run From An Angel" 10K January 7th in Boulder City, NV. She will wear a "Run to Remember" running shirt bearing Tim's name along with 63 additional loved ones who have died in traffic incidents. She becomes the first runner in America to dedicate her race to raising awareness and funds for the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25. You can support her through a donation at KKAD25 Donate . Learn about how you can make your next road or trail race a "Run to Remember" at Join "Run to Remember"

Thank you Tamara.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

2012 Run to Remember - Start to Finish


It's About Kids! It's About Safety! It's About Caring! It's About Time!®



The "Run to Remember" always begins with a ritual trip to the top of 
Pikes Peak the day before the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Michael, Tom, Matthew, Russ, Mike, and Shawn (L to R) in front of the
"America the Beautiful" Plaque. Katharine Lee Bates wrote this poem that became an American anthem while looking out from the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893.


Matthew, Shawn, Michael , Tom, Russ, and Mike (L to R)
The Run to Remember Team on the Summit of Pikes Peak


A lighthearted "Usain Bolt" moment before we have to 
kick it in to gear to go up the mountain Saturday

(Back L to R) Mike and Russ
Front -Matthew, Tom, Michael, Shawn
Back to Earth posing at what will be the start line for 
the Pikes Peak Ascent on August 18th


Russ's last supper the night before the ascent


Michael prepares the night before the race by 
decorating his shoe with the initials of Erika Joy Rowan, one of the 
loved ones we run to remember.

RACE DAY!!

63 loved ones etched on the back of our Run to Remember shirts.
13.32 miles, 7,800 foot vertical climb, 14,115 feet above sea level at the summit. Pikes Peak stands before us. We are ready to run to remember.


Shannon's image graces Dad's hat.



Matthew, Tom (Dad), and Michael just before the start


A pre-race prayer for all the loved ones and 
their families we run to remember


Russ Lloyd, Shannon's dad, heads towards the summit. Russ is the first parent of a loved one whose name is carried on our Run to Remember shirts to join the team for the trek up the Peak. Russ had a great day on the mountain. He's talking about coming back next year. Others welcome to join our team (e-mail me at Tom@kkad25.org about running or joining our support team)



Michael Everson leads the team as the first to finish.


Russ at the finish line


Shawn Everson nears the 
finish of his 3rd Run to Remember


A weary yours truly, Tom Everson, heads towards the finish.


Yours truly truly was finished (1 IV and plenty of oxygen to treat dehydration). I am fine. It's amazing what getting off a 14,115 foot mountain can do for your breathing:-)


Matthew nearing the summit to finish his 6th R2R.


Matthew gets a breather after his finish.



Mike does us all 13 better. Sunday, August 19th, he runs 26.2 miles up and down the trail on Pikes Peak to remember loved ones. He completes the journey in 5 hrs. 38 min. and places 3rd in his age group-amazing!



Mike drains 3 IVs of fluid to treat his exhaustion from giving his all on behalf of all we ran to remember.


Mike (2nd from right in the R2R shirt) recovers to receive his award, the first Run to Remember Team member to do so. The families of all we run to remember share this trophy as your loved ones inspire us to climb higher in working to realize the mission of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25.


Finisher's shirt - we all earned one, and your loved ones were with us every step of the way.
Our team is because of you.

Our goal was $14,115. We have raised $5,195. We welcome additional donations at Run to Remember Donate
Thank you to all who support the mission. We welcome your continued support as we plan for the 7th "Run to Remember" August 17th, 2013, Pikes Peak, Colorado. The mountain will be there. We plan to be there as well. Let me know if you'd like to join us.