Rod's Challenge For Children
Donation protected
Hello and thank you so much for visiting my fundraising site: "Rod's Challenge For Children"! One of my favorite quotes is, "Be the change you wish to see in the world.". Mahatma Gandhi had this right. This webpage has information about how I plan to use my skills to help build better childhoods for kids who require medical technology to sustain life. Please take a couple of moments to educate yourself about possibly donating to my cause.
Please CLICK HERE to download the flyer and help promote this fundraiser.
THE TARGET:
I aim to raise $25,000 USD to support The Medically Fragile Children's Foundation of Northern California (MFCFNC). Donations accepted through this website will incur an automatic 5-7% processing fee, which is taken out for administrative costs by this hosting website. Note that 100% of the collected donations will go toward supporting the MFCFNC (field trips to concerts, games, etc; efforts to facilitate family visits; and general connection with childhood experiences). Travel, guide/registration, and fundraising-incidental fees are solely being covered through personal/private funding.
THE CHALLENGE:
I have enrolled in an expedition on September 14, 2013, called "The Three Peaks Challenge" in the United Kingdom (UK). This adventure includes hiking up/down the largest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales within a 24-hour period (including driving time). Here are the 3 peaks:
1) Scotland, Ben Nevis (4409 ft)
2) England, Scafell Pike (3209 ft)
3) Wales, Snowdon (3506 ft)
In an effort to make this fundraiser more meaningful for potential donors and for the children we serve, I aim to complete this challenge WITH a ventilator (life support) and ventilator battery, totaling 20 lbs (9kg), in addition to the water and supplies I'll already be carrying.
THE STORY:
As many of you know, I am very adamant about supporting anything that enhances the well-being of children, especially when it comes to kids with disabilities/special needs. As a former boy scout, camp director, programming director, etc. I have had the privilege, as a camper and staffer/management, of knowing the importance of remaining connected with peers and the community. Camping opportunities (residential/day) hold a special place in my heart, right next to these children who have disabilities that limit their true potential and opportunity to live as happy as a life as they can. Every child, regardless of their situation, deserves the RIGHT to as many "normal" childhood experiences as possible.
Just in case I have not shared my most wanted goal in life, here it is: To build, from the ground up, the FIRST (there may be a similar program in existence, but am unsure) hospital:camp collaboration in the United States. This would be a on a plot of land, where on one part, a camp would exist. The camp would have loads of adaptations (ramps, adequate power for medical equipment, pools, etc.) to make it as accessible as possible, both in the cabins and in the program areas. Programs would be ran by instructors who share a desire to do something wonderful for these children. On the same property, there would be a small hospital where children have access in case a medical emergency occurs. There would beds reserved for kids that are there on a long term basis and beds for respite care, who come from other hospitals in the state, but would have full access to the outdoors/programs, all within close proximity to medical support.
In the summers of 2006 and 2007, I had the privilege of leading efforts to provide day-camp experiences for about 15 children, who resided in hospitals. In 2010, I spearheaded a group of about 12 hospital interdisciplinary team members, comprised of nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, social workers, PT/OT/SLP's to pave the way for 8 children to spend the night at a camp, AWAY from the hospital. We even worked with an electrician and property manager to modify the cabin's electrical infrastructure to ensure that there was adequate, reliable power to support all of the medical equipment. The children had a blast engaging in programs with their counselors, peers, and nursing staff. Unfortunately, for 2 of these children, it would have been their first and only time to have spent the night outside the walls of a hospital...
I have been so blessed to have met and worked with so many wonderful, amazing, inspirational, and talented people in my life. It is those people that have offered to run programs such as adapted surfing, horseback riding, outdoor living skills (setting up a tent), etc. that drive me to want do so something to contribute to humanity. It is my true hope to not only serve these children, but to provide a foundation and conduit for these amazing colleagues of mine to use their talents in a truly meaningful ways.
This is where I draw my happiness and motivation in life; service to the community and making better childhoods for kids.
THE CAUSE:
In 2011, for my 30th birthday, I had the honor and privilege raising funds for The Children's Trust - Tadworth, a charity in the United Kingdom that supports children with medical and special needs. As a result of overwhelming donor support, including Ninja Star Sushi Bar/Restaurant in San Jose, over $3000 USD (£2000 GBP) was raised for this absolutely worthy cause.
Currently, I serve as President/CEO of the MFCFNC, a non-profit (501(c)(3) (pending)) supporting children who require medically technology to sustain life. It is our purpose to connect these children with as "normal" as a childhood as possible. I want to use my involvement with the MFCFNC to help achieve my aforementioned goal of building a camp/hospital collaboration at some point. The MFCFNC's existence revolves around "Building better childhoods". This is what we do:
MFCFNC Mission Statement:
The mission of The Medically Fragile Children's Foundation of Northern California (MFCFNC) is to serve children (up to 21 years of age), who require medical technology and intervention to sustain life, and connect them with the innate experiences associated with growing up, just as their peers without such limitations experience. The MFCFNC supports children who reside in Santa Clara County, and its surrounding areas, and are consumers of Medi-Cal's "pediatric subacute care"/ "pediatric day health center" programs or similar services.
If you would like to download a copy of our current Annual Report, which includes more detailed information about our Board, cause, past initiatives/events, and financial accountability/reporting, please visit our website at: http://www.mfcfnc.org.
***NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS / TAX-DEDUCTIONS***:
The MFCFNC currently carries a "Charity" status with the State of California (Click HERE for our Franchise Tax Board Determination Letter). With respect to the IRS, the MFCFNC's application is currently pending and be effective retroactively to the date of formation when approved. All donors will be notified of the approval as soon as it is received by the MFCFNC.
Please CLICK HERE to download the flyer and help promote this fundraiser.
THE TARGET:
I aim to raise $25,000 USD to support The Medically Fragile Children's Foundation of Northern California (MFCFNC). Donations accepted through this website will incur an automatic 5-7% processing fee, which is taken out for administrative costs by this hosting website. Note that 100% of the collected donations will go toward supporting the MFCFNC (field trips to concerts, games, etc; efforts to facilitate family visits; and general connection with childhood experiences). Travel, guide/registration, and fundraising-incidental fees are solely being covered through personal/private funding.
THE CHALLENGE:
I have enrolled in an expedition on September 14, 2013, called "The Three Peaks Challenge" in the United Kingdom (UK). This adventure includes hiking up/down the largest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales within a 24-hour period (including driving time). Here are the 3 peaks:
1) Scotland, Ben Nevis (4409 ft)
2) England, Scafell Pike (3209 ft)
3) Wales, Snowdon (3506 ft)
In an effort to make this fundraiser more meaningful for potential donors and for the children we serve, I aim to complete this challenge WITH a ventilator (life support) and ventilator battery, totaling 20 lbs (9kg), in addition to the water and supplies I'll already be carrying.
THE STORY:
As many of you know, I am very adamant about supporting anything that enhances the well-being of children, especially when it comes to kids with disabilities/special needs. As a former boy scout, camp director, programming director, etc. I have had the privilege, as a camper and staffer/management, of knowing the importance of remaining connected with peers and the community. Camping opportunities (residential/day) hold a special place in my heart, right next to these children who have disabilities that limit their true potential and opportunity to live as happy as a life as they can. Every child, regardless of their situation, deserves the RIGHT to as many "normal" childhood experiences as possible.
Just in case I have not shared my most wanted goal in life, here it is: To build, from the ground up, the FIRST (there may be a similar program in existence, but am unsure) hospital:camp collaboration in the United States. This would be a on a plot of land, where on one part, a camp would exist. The camp would have loads of adaptations (ramps, adequate power for medical equipment, pools, etc.) to make it as accessible as possible, both in the cabins and in the program areas. Programs would be ran by instructors who share a desire to do something wonderful for these children. On the same property, there would be a small hospital where children have access in case a medical emergency occurs. There would beds reserved for kids that are there on a long term basis and beds for respite care, who come from other hospitals in the state, but would have full access to the outdoors/programs, all within close proximity to medical support.
In the summers of 2006 and 2007, I had the privilege of leading efforts to provide day-camp experiences for about 15 children, who resided in hospitals. In 2010, I spearheaded a group of about 12 hospital interdisciplinary team members, comprised of nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, social workers, PT/OT/SLP's to pave the way for 8 children to spend the night at a camp, AWAY from the hospital. We even worked with an electrician and property manager to modify the cabin's electrical infrastructure to ensure that there was adequate, reliable power to support all of the medical equipment. The children had a blast engaging in programs with their counselors, peers, and nursing staff. Unfortunately, for 2 of these children, it would have been their first and only time to have spent the night outside the walls of a hospital...
I have been so blessed to have met and worked with so many wonderful, amazing, inspirational, and talented people in my life. It is those people that have offered to run programs such as adapted surfing, horseback riding, outdoor living skills (setting up a tent), etc. that drive me to want do so something to contribute to humanity. It is my true hope to not only serve these children, but to provide a foundation and conduit for these amazing colleagues of mine to use their talents in a truly meaningful ways.
This is where I draw my happiness and motivation in life; service to the community and making better childhoods for kids.
THE CAUSE:
In 2011, for my 30th birthday, I had the honor and privilege raising funds for The Children's Trust - Tadworth, a charity in the United Kingdom that supports children with medical and special needs. As a result of overwhelming donor support, including Ninja Star Sushi Bar/Restaurant in San Jose, over $3000 USD (£2000 GBP) was raised for this absolutely worthy cause.
Currently, I serve as President/CEO of the MFCFNC, a non-profit (501(c)(3) (pending)) supporting children who require medically technology to sustain life. It is our purpose to connect these children with as "normal" as a childhood as possible. I want to use my involvement with the MFCFNC to help achieve my aforementioned goal of building a camp/hospital collaboration at some point. The MFCFNC's existence revolves around "Building better childhoods". This is what we do:
MFCFNC Mission Statement:
The mission of The Medically Fragile Children's Foundation of Northern California (MFCFNC) is to serve children (up to 21 years of age), who require medical technology and intervention to sustain life, and connect them with the innate experiences associated with growing up, just as their peers without such limitations experience. The MFCFNC supports children who reside in Santa Clara County, and its surrounding areas, and are consumers of Medi-Cal's "pediatric subacute care"/ "pediatric day health center" programs or similar services.
If you would like to download a copy of our current Annual Report, which includes more detailed information about our Board, cause, past initiatives/events, and financial accountability/reporting, please visit our website at: http://www.mfcfnc.org.
***NOTE ABOUT DONATIONS / TAX-DEDUCTIONS***:
The MFCFNC currently carries a "Charity" status with the State of California (Click HERE for our Franchise Tax Board Determination Letter). With respect to the IRS, the MFCFNC's application is currently pending and be effective retroactively to the date of formation when approved. All donors will be notified of the approval as soon as it is received by the MFCFNC.
Organizer
Rod Galindo
Organizer
Saratoga, CA
