Kids Wish Network: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 12:52, 20 June 2013

Kids Wish Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories and improving the quality of live for children having experienced life-altering situations. Kids Wish Network fulfills the wishes of children ages 3-18 suffering with life-threatening medical conditions or exceptional circumstances as determined by medical professionals. In the fiscal year 2012 Kids Wish Network touched the lives of 114,912 children.

The charity was founded in 1997 by Shelley and Mark Breiner after the loss of Shelley's father to cancer; Shelly was inspired by the many young cancer patients she met during her father's chemotherapy treatment and decided that she want to help make a difference in the lives of children in need.

Kids Wish Network operates out of a single office in [Florida] and recently came under scrutiny by the Tampa Bay Times in an article attacking the charity’s fundraising and spending practices. The article suggests that Kids Wish Network founder, Mark Breiner has siphoned millions from the charity. The Tampa Bay Times was notified that Mark Breiner has not worked for Kids Wish Network for the past three years however, the newspaper declined to publish the information.

In response to the Tampa Bay Times Report, Kids Wish Network issued a statement. In the release Executive Director Anna Lanzatella refuted these claims: “The news accounts claim to know who we are based on a subjective narrative created by a reporter who asked our organization more than 50 questions, only to publish a few fragments of a response. It fails to mention that despite the subjective and random criteria developed by the authors, Kids Wish Network undergoes regular third-party audits to verify information and filings. It is a compelling story that relies on rhetorical flourish and accusations, rather than facts.” (link needed)

For the full release see link below.

Programs

The charity started out with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions. Since then, Kids Wish Network has created various programs. The catalyst for launching the other programs beyond wish granting began when the charity recognized that the children they serve demonstrated needs above and beyond the extent of wishes.

Kids Wish Network On Tour

In 2010, Kids Wish Network launched a new program called Kids Wish Network On Tour. This program works with community leaders such as mayors, police chiefs and other officials across the country to provide gifts for children in their communities who are facing adversities such as abuse, neglect, poverty, homelessness and illnesses. Kids Wish Network On Tour sends educational products and other necessities such as clothes, baby items, games, & toys that are delivered to the city for distribution to children in need. A special event is arranged so these gifts are given directly into the hands of the children by their local city and county officials. The On Tour program helps promote and foster better relationships between these children and their community.[2]

Since 2010 The On Tour Program has serviced the following cities:

● Madisonville, Tennessee ● Yazoo City, Mississippi ● Brownfield, Texas ● Gallup, New Mexico ● Palatka, Florida ● Danville, Illinois

Kids Wish Network “On Tour” is slated for one additional appearance later this year to serve more than 3,500 children in need.[3]

Wish Granting

Kids Wish Network’s early years were spent granting wishes and the very foundation of the charity is built upon this. Kids Wish Network grants wishes for children from 3 to 18 who are living with a life-threatening illness.

The most common wishes granted by the organization are Florida Theme Park Trips,[4] which account for close to 40% of Kids Wish Network wishes.[5] Some other popular wish requests include playhouses,[6] shopping sprees,[7] gaming systems,[8] computers,[9] pools [10] and even the occasional car makeover.[11] Celebrity wishes are also granted by this organization. Celebrity Wishes Kids Wish Network consistently grants celebrity wishes and relies on the assistance of these high profile individuals to grant wishes. Some celebrities who have partnered with Kids Wish Network include political, sports, music, and television personalities:

Sports:

NBA ● LeBron James ● Kobe Bryant ● Shaquille O’Neal ● Michael Jordan ● Kevin Garnett

NFL ● The Pittsburg Steelers ● Jon Gruden: NFL Head Coach ● Pro Football Hall-of-Famer John Elway [54] MLB ● The New York Yankees ● The Chicago Cubs [53] ● The Baltimore Orioles WWE ● John Cena ● Sheamus ● CM Punk ● Jeff Hardy

NASCAR ● Dale Earnhardt Jr.[27] ● Jimmie Johnson ● Tony Stewart ● Ricky Carmichael [51] ● Kevin Harvick ● Mark Martin [17] Also: ● Soccer Player Landon Donovan ● Skateboarder Ryan Sheckler

Music ● Beyoncé ● Rihanna [34] ● Justin Timberlake ● Paul McCartney ● Mariah Carey [39] ● Chris Brown [46] ● Mary Mary [15] ● Miranda Lambert ● Dolly Parton [19] ● Martina McBride [25] ● Keyshia Cole [26] ● Gene Simmons [29] ● Lee Ann Womack ● Gloria Estefan [35] ● Brad Paisley [38] ● Kelly Clarkson [40] ● Alan Jackson ● George Strait ● Third Day ● American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell ● Britney Spears ● The Jonas Brothers ● Lonestar ● Jessica Simpson [49] ● Kenny Chesney [50] ● Miley Cyrus ● Celine Dion ● Dave Matthews ● Idina Menzel ● The Backstreet Boys [55] ● Josh Turner ● Tim McGraw

Television & Movies

● Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson [41] ● Buddy Valastro from TLC's hit show "Cake Boss" ● Disney Channel’s Selena Gomez [13] ● Deal or No Deal star Howie Mandel ● Chef Emeril Lagasse [14] ● “Desperate Housewives” stars Eva Longoria and Felicity Huffman [20] ● Disney Channel's Demi Lovato [23] ● Disney Channel's Dylan & Cole Sprouse [24] ● West Coast Choppers CEO Jesse James [36] ● Chuck Norris [37] ● Survival Specialist Bear Grylls [42] ● Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe [44] ● Animal expert Jack Hanna [45] ● Actress Halle Berry ● Actor Jackie Chan ● Actress Nicole Kidman ● American Journalist Katie Couric ● Hilary Duff ● Actress Julia Roberts ● Actor Mark Hamill ● The cast of Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures [57] ● Michael J. Fox [59] ● Mark Harmon and Pauley Perrette of “NCIS” [61] ● Miranda Cosgrove of “iCarly” [62]

Fashion Designer: ● Marc Jacobs [58]

CSX Santa Train

CSX Corporation, one of the largest transportation companies for rail and container shipping and chose Kids Wish Network as their “charity of choice.” In November 2009, Kids Wish Network donated over $130,000 [64] worth of items for the CSX Santa Train, which delivered food, toys and gifts to the impoverished families throughout the Appalachian.[65]

In 2010, CSX Transportation, the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Food City and Kids Wish Network jointly sponsored the Santa Train. In 2010 Kids Wish Network donated over $200,000 [66] worth of items that were distributed to children across the 110-mile route between Shelby, Kentucky and Kingsport, Tennessee. In 2011, once again CSX joined Kids Wish Network forces to deliver over 15 tons of toys in the region.[67]

Hero of the Month

A program dedicated to recognize children in the care of hospitals, homeless shelters, abuse shelters, and other facilities. Kids Wish Network affirms that this program was designed to honor children who, “… do not have life threatening illnesses but have faced and overcome life-altering circumstances with tremendous courage.”

Holiday of Hope Gift Banks

A gift-giving program designed to bring cheer to children admitted to emergency rooms, pediatric hospitals, shelters and other care facilities for children in crisis nationwide. The Gift Banks are created from new toys, games and other gifts from manufacturers and distributors nationwide. “Once received by Kids Wish Network, these…items are distributed directly to the facilities and into the hands of thousands of children and teens.”[72] Funeral Assistance

Kids Wish Network offers funeral assistance for children who were wish recipients or honored as a “Hero of the Month.”[73] Concerns and Controversy

Due to their high expense to spend rate, Kids Wish Network is frequently identified as a low graded charity by local [74] and national organizations.[75]

Their Charity Navigator rating[76] for fiscal year ending May, 2008 shows one star overall, zero stars for efficiency, and three for capacity; the two previous years vary in capacity rating, but also show one star overall and zero for efficiency. Kids Wish Network's IRS form 990 for tax year ending 5/31/2009 shows that out of $14,601,852 in gross receipts from fundraising activities, $12,885,479 was paid to fundraisers and $1,716,373—or about 12%--was retained by the organization. IRS documents also show that the three officers of the board—husband and wife founders Mark and Shelley Breiner and Shelley Breiner’s mother, Barbara Askin, received a total of over $200,000 in compensation for serving as officers of the Board of Directors.[78] In early 2010, Kids Wish Network founders Mark and Shelley Breiner retired from their positions as directors of the charity and are no longer drawing a salary. At this time neither Barbara Askin nor the Breiners have any further affiliation with the organization.

Partners

Kids Wish Network has an exhaustive list of local and national partners. They refer to them as Guardian Angels.[79]

Some of Kids Wish Networks Partners:

● Carnival Cruises ● Wal-Mart ● Kohls ● Brighthouse Networks ● Hard Rock Café ● Universal Studios

References

1. ^ Kids Wish Network Frequently Asked Questions
2. ^ http://www.mmdnewswire.com/kids-wish-network-on-tour-brings-miles-of-smiles-of-toys-to-yazoo-city-58527.html?Itemid=
3. ^ http://www.kidswishnetworkontour.org
4. ^ [1] 5. ^ http://www.kidswishblog.org/2009/09/our-most-requested-wish-2/
6. ^ http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2008/10/12/variety/doc48efc7aa01c1d211116699.txt
7. ^ http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1155184.html
8. ^ http://www.mlive.com/living/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/05/hes_a_guitar_hero_now_boy_with.html
9. ^ http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/lifestyles/1827613,6_5_NA16_YOKOM_S1-091016.article
10. ^ http://elburnherald.com/2009/07/30/youth-with-rare-illness-granted-wish/
11. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKG2U1RlmBo
12. ^ http://www.celebritygoodlife.com/blog/2009/09/aramis-ramirez-joins-an-allstar-team-that-plays-with-the-kids-wish-network.html
13. ^ http://kidswishnetwork.org/2010/03/hannah-had-a-magical-time-on-her-wish-with-selena-gomez-on-the-set-of-%E2%80%9Cwizards-of-waverly-place%E2%80%9D/
14. ^ http://www.fanpop.com/spots/emeril-lagasse/articles/113952/title/kids-wish-network-sends-texas-teen-meet-emeril-lagasse-new-york
15. ^ http://onlineathens.com/stories/090211/liv_879979900.shtml
16. ^ http://www.pinstripealley.com/2011/8/7/2349360/new-york-yankees-news-recap-a-rod-hughes-and-a-six-man-rotation
17. ^ http://kidswishnetwork.org/2011/06/pauls-amazing-nascar-wish-with-mark-martin/
18. ^ http://www.fanpop.com/spots/kobe-bryant/articles/84809/title/kids-wish-network-kobe-bryant-grant-wish-california-teen
19. ^ http://www.happynews.com/news/1062010/westland-girl-meets-dolly-parton.htm
20. ^ http://www.kidswishnetwork.com/wishes/wish-kid-details.aspx?i=1189
21. ^ http://www.kidswishnetwork.com/wishes/wish-kid-details.aspx?i=1347
22. ^ http://www.kidswishblog.org/2009/07/president-obama-meets-delaware-child-with-brain-tumor/
23. ^ http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=317840