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