Inspire Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 21

Kidz Helping Kids LOCAL YOUTH RAISE OVER $300,000 FOR KAPI`OLANI’S NICU Kidz for a Cause presenting its incredible check to Kapi`olani Medical Center for Women & Children. Nicki Lee (far right) with fellow ambassadors at Spotlight on Kidz. IN 2016, A BIG GIFT CAME FROM A GROUP OF SMALL DONORS. THREE Think Tank 2016 student ambassador awards. HUNDRED KIDS AND TEENAGERS ACROSS HAWAI`I WERE INSPIRED TO ORGANIZE CREATIVE FUNDRAISERS THAT RAISED $300,540 FOR KAPI`OLANI MEDICAL CENTER. Student ambassadors at the Spotlight on Kidz event celebrating the end of the campaign. These incredible keiki are collectively KFAC challenges kids between 6 and 18 known as Kidz for a Cause (KFAC). The years to come up with their own creative group works to help not-for-profits that ideas for FUNraisers. Last year, local keiki benefit local kids. KFAC was founded in brainstormed and developed next steps 2008 by then third-grader Nicki Lee. Nicki in a campaign called Think Tank 2016. The wanted to find a way to use her love for strategy plans lead to dozens of hosted performing to help others and decided events including sports clinics, gourmet to host a charity concert. What started as dinners and concerts. a community service project for school, blossomed into the incredible operation it is today. And last year, KFAC chose to give to Kapi`olani’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “When we were deciding on a KFAC beneficiary, my mom and I watched a video about the NICU and couldn't stop crying,” said Nicki. “Later, I spoke with some of my friends and was surprised to find out how many people had a sister or cousin that had The kids of Plant Aloha hosted Soccer FUNdamentals Clinics and raised more than $10,000. been saved by the NICU or who had spent time there themselves.” Together, these inspired kids raised a record amount for their organization and delivered a six figure gift for newborns in need at Kapi`olani. “Without the ’hard’ in hard work from all of the kids, I have no doubt that it wouldn't have been as gratifying, and of course we couldn't have raised so much for this wonderful cause,” said Nicki. “We weren’t only raising money for charity, we inspired kids of all ages to put their ‘thinking caps’ on as well!” 21