Kidz2Kidz is the fundraiser arm of Voices Of Youth, a youth movement that is about Uniting our Youth, Being One, and Making a Difference!
The vision of VOY is ”We are one voice, one power, one heart, creating our future together”.
HELP US EXPAND KIDZ2KIDZ AND LET IT IMPACT MORE LIVES – WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE MADE IT TO THE SEMI-FINALS FOR AVIVA COMMUNITY FUND CONTEST 2010! AVIVA COMMUNITY FUND VOTING IDEA! 2011 IS THE YEAR FOR KIDZ2KIDZ TO EXPAND THROUGH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNDING. WE ARE GOING AFTER OUR DREAM!
Kidz2kidz began with a group of 6 children, from 3 different families, that came together to make a difference in their communities, local and surrounding. It started with baby steps. Sandra Finkelstein, CEO and founder of 2bempowered.com and mother of two of the children, knows how important it is to lead by example. In January of 2010 she asked her older son to come up with an idea of giving back. Together they came up with their first drive idea, which was to collect gently used sports and leisure equipment for children who are less fortunate. Sandra shared the idea with two other families and they jumped on board as they too feel the same way as she does about guiding and teaching our children about giving back to our communities. The Finkelstein’s, Lee’s and Gordon’s did just that. (read more and go to Kidz2Kidz idea page) Through the month of May 2010 they spread the word to their friends, family, colleagues and to the community through email and newspaper articles (see flyer). The drive was a great success and while only about 30 people donated they were very generous. They were able to give the Native Child & Family Services many items for their summer camp initiative: floaties for the water, tennis balls and racquets, squash racquets, basketballs, footballs, baseballs, gear, bases, balls, and bats, golf balls, and many golf sets, soccer gear and balls, bikes, skateboards, skates, hockey equipment, hockey sticks, dance shoes, and more! Similar items went to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Peel. One thing that became evident is that it did not finish with the collecting. The families soon realized that it really is a community effort and they needed to box the items and wanted to have the skates sharpened. Sandra turned to her brother’s friend, Randy Molson, Molson Packaging & Distribution Inc., to donate the boxes and he graciously did. In future they will like to find someone to sharpen the skates, and donate space to allow for year-round collection and distribution. This really is a community effort and there are many ways to give back – not just the items! Kidz2Kidz is looking for more families to participate in this worthwhile endeavour. It is a great way to show our children about compassion and respect for their fellow human being regardless of one’s socio-economic and/or religious background. It also puts all youth on an even playing field.
