Our first ‘class’ of graduating seniors head off to college after finishing a record year for K is for Kids

What a milestone we hit this year as 100% of our graduating seniors continue on to college! Indeed, this past year was a banner year for our young, prolific powerhouse!

To learn about K is for Kids’ achievements and records this past year, click here to read our Chairman’s letter to supporters:

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A highlight of our fun’raising season this year was our fourth annual Bring a Book, Bring a Friend for Children’s Literacy Month. It began with proclamations by the Collier County Commissioners (first pic below) and Mayor Bill Barnett of Naples (pictured in the fourth photo below); and received recognition from Florida Governor Rick Scott.

More photos of our teen volunteers giving community service following this testimonial by one of our top teen leaders.

Testimonial: Matthew Colligan (shown at left below during PSA rehearsal at SWFL Charity TV’s production studio in Naples), one of K is for Kids’ top teen spokespersons and teen leaders 2009-12, was amongst our first “class” of graduating seniors. Matthew graduated Valedictorian of his Class of 2012 at Gulf Coast High School and will be attending University of Pennsylvania this fall. Congratulations to Matthew and all the outstanding seniors who volunteered for K is for Kids! We wish you continued success as you head off to college!

Matthew Colligan

Jan 5, 2012

To: karen@kisforkids.org

When I first got involved with the K is for Kids Foundation, I looked at it as an easy way to get my volunteer hours out of the way. I soon realized that this experience would benefit me in so many ways and give me skills I can use for the rest of my life. What I liked most about volunteering for K is for Kids is how it allowed me to understand different components of running a business…. I realized the importance of communicating with everyone and publicizing events…. It was amazing to see how much this organization grew during the time I was involved, and this showed me that when you persevere, you can take small ideas a long way. K is for Kids was an invaluable experience for me, and I hope that many more teens are able to have the same experience I had as the foundation continues to grow and bring awareness to a great cause.

Below are pictures of our book fairs for children hosted by K is for Kids’ teen leaders with high school volunteers pitching in from Barron Collier High, Gulf Coast High and Naples High schools — thanks again to the National Honor Society at those schools for also sending us such wonderful helpers: It was truly a privilege volunteering alongside all these bright and talented young individuals. We wish each of them continued success as they attend college this upcoming year.

Special thanks to Wilkinson Photography for all the beautiful shots and to Barnes & Noble at Waterside Shops and Coconut Point for partnering with us to invite children to these fun’raising events. Kids had their faces painted, went on scavenger hunts, had balloons twistws, met guest authors, listened to guest speakers, and wrote their own stories for our young authors book!

To see more photos and videos of K is for Kids’ teen leaders and members of our Teen Advisory Team — thank you National Honor Society volunteers for giving us helping hands, too — look through our top stories from this past year, or click here to see all the photo albums posted our facebook page at www.facebook.com/kisforkids. You can also watch all the PSAs (public service announcements) produced by our teen spokespersons by clicking here: http://www.kisforkids.org/photos-videos/ or on YouTube (search for K is for Kids Foundation.)