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!”
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