Media/News
3/20/2009
ForKids Blasts off to the Final Frontier with 400 Guests at Fundraiser
ForKids proudly welcomed 400 guests to the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center on Friday March 20th. The ForKids 8th Annual Children’s Art Auction raised about $195,000 in support of operational funding for programs for homeless children and families. The Norfolk headquartered nonprofit’s theme was “Ending Homelessness: the Final Frontier”.
ForKids’ was thrilled to have Captain William Shepherd as honorary Chairman. Captain Shepherd logged 159 days in space as the first Commander of the International Space Station. Tommy Griffiths and Rick Rumble of WNOR-FM 99 were spectacular as emcees. The Urban Arts Ensemble provided the blast off for the evening with their rhythmic drumming. Then the Jim Newsom Quartet kept guests suspended in space among the stars with their delightful sounds.
Guests bid on artwork created by the children in the ForKids programs and by professional artists. Guests also enjoyed bidding in the silent and reverse auctions. The best selling piece of children’s art sold for $5000 with the top professional piece edging just a bit higher to $5250.
The outer space theme played through the entire event with a stage set with rockets, planets, and moon rocks. Tommy and Rumble began the evening with a call to action, Star Wars style:
“NOT a long time ago, in a galaxy right here….
It is a dark time for the Empire. Rebel forces won their first battle against the dark force of homelessness, but as economic strife spread across the land, our band of heroes began to lose ground as more families and children lost their homes.
A group of freedom fighters led by ForKids has established a secret base on the remote outpost of Hampton Roads to create a plan to obliterate homelessness. Evading the dreaded Imperial forces of Hopelessness and Despair, the ForKids rebel troops are joined by local community forces committed to their just cause.
Together, we blast off to End Homelessness: The Final Frontier….”
This year’s sponsors included: AMERIGROUP, Paul Finch & Associates, McDonald’s Tidewater Co-Op, L3 Communications Marine Services Unit, GEICO, and many other generous Hampton Roads businesses. ForKids was honored to have more than 40 sponsors, 20 in-kind donors, as well as, hundreds of silent auction donors for this event.
ForKids mission is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for children and families in Hampton Roads. The agency operates two emergency shelters, in Norfolk and Suffolk, and several transitional and permanent housing units. ForKids currently assists 150 families with 300 children every week.
ForKids is grateful to have the support of so many during this difficult economic period.
9/17/08 Ribbon Cutting & Open House
Day of Caring
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Bryce Adams (8), Becca Adams (5), Colleen Schinderle (10) and Brooke Adams (10) of Ghent Elementary School set up a neighborhood lemonade stand and successfully sold $40 of lemonade which they donated to ForKids.
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