- S
- R
Noakai was 7 years old in January 2018 when his godfather Tim VandeSteeg passed away at age 46. Without warning, Noakai was left grieving the best father figure in his young life.
Tim loved Noakai so much he considered Noakai his son, gave him love and guidance, and showed up daily for him.
Now Noakai is facing his first summer—and future—without the man he thought of as his father.
I’m a neighbor and friend of Noakai and his mom Annabel. Annabel, a dedicated, working single mother, provides her son with love, safety, and all the activities she can. I’ve had the privilege of knowing them since Noakai was a baby, and watched him thrive and grow. I watched the magical bond happen between Noakai and Tim. Now I see this child struggling with a huge loss.
Tim was Noakai’s role model. He showed Noakai how to be considerate and responsible. Tim “walked the talk” with a strong work ethic, character, and persistence in the face of obstacles. Tim’s slogan was “Be powerful. Be unstoppable.”
Now Tim is gone, and we need to be powerful and unstoppable for Noakai. That’s why we’re asking your help.
The Importance of Sports for Noakai
Tim shared his love of sports and recreation with Noakai to build his confidence and resilience. Tim taught him to throw a ball and ride a bike. He encouraged Noakai to express his natural abilities, and to keep trying until he mastered a skill. He taught him to have an athlete’s good attitude, no matter what.
Tim bought Noakai his first bike and his first skateboard. Tim was a massive Minnesota Vikings fan—so much so he placed his name and Noakai's on a brick at the Vikings’ stadium. They watched football games together on tv, and Tim promised Noakai he would play Flag Football, and any other sports that interested him.
The Sports Fund
With your help, we can fund 2018/2019 sports and activities for this grieving boy. We want activities that will give him focus, connection with others, and pleasure through physical play. Nothing can replace Tim, but fulfilling Tim's promise will help Noakai move forward.
How Your Donations Will Be Used
Please help us fund Noakai’s participation in kid-friendly sports programs.
Some programs we have in mind:
-Flag Football in Culver City
-LA Super Soccer at Clover Park
-Basketball at the YMCA
-Skateboarding at a local park, with coaching
-Parkour at Brasil Brasil in Culver City
Tim devoted hours every week to Noakai while Annabel worked, studied, or took a well-earned break. We need to fund the huge gap left by Tim. As well as the sports programs, we gratefully accept donations for childcare, sports equipment, clothing and transportation. This is how we'll keep Tim's promise to Noakai.
Thank you on behalf of those of us who love Noakai, and Tim.
Tim loved Noakai so much he considered Noakai his son, gave him love and guidance, and showed up daily for him.
Now Noakai is facing his first summer—and future—without the man he thought of as his father.
I’m a neighbor and friend of Noakai and his mom Annabel. Annabel, a dedicated, working single mother, provides her son with love, safety, and all the activities she can. I’ve had the privilege of knowing them since Noakai was a baby, and watched him thrive and grow. I watched the magical bond happen between Noakai and Tim. Now I see this child struggling with a huge loss.
Tim was Noakai’s role model. He showed Noakai how to be considerate and responsible. Tim “walked the talk” with a strong work ethic, character, and persistence in the face of obstacles. Tim’s slogan was “Be powerful. Be unstoppable.”
Now Tim is gone, and we need to be powerful and unstoppable for Noakai. That’s why we’re asking your help.
The Importance of Sports for Noakai
Tim shared his love of sports and recreation with Noakai to build his confidence and resilience. Tim taught him to throw a ball and ride a bike. He encouraged Noakai to express his natural abilities, and to keep trying until he mastered a skill. He taught him to have an athlete’s good attitude, no matter what.
Tim bought Noakai his first bike and his first skateboard. Tim was a massive Minnesota Vikings fan—so much so he placed his name and Noakai's on a brick at the Vikings’ stadium. They watched football games together on tv, and Tim promised Noakai he would play Flag Football, and any other sports that interested him.
The Sports Fund
With your help, we can fund 2018/2019 sports and activities for this grieving boy. We want activities that will give him focus, connection with others, and pleasure through physical play. Nothing can replace Tim, but fulfilling Tim's promise will help Noakai move forward.
How Your Donations Will Be Used
Please help us fund Noakai’s participation in kid-friendly sports programs.
Some programs we have in mind:
-Flag Football in Culver City
-LA Super Soccer at Clover Park
-Basketball at the YMCA
-Skateboarding at a local park, with coaching
-Parkour at Brasil Brasil in Culver City
Tim devoted hours every week to Noakai while Annabel worked, studied, or took a well-earned break. We need to fund the huge gap left by Tim. As well as the sports programs, we gratefully accept donations for childcare, sports equipment, clothing and transportation. This is how we'll keep Tim's promise to Noakai.
Thank you on behalf of those of us who love Noakai, and Tim.