• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Print Subscription
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Contact Us

Could You Be An Elf For A Sick Child?

November 18, 2012 by The Inside Press

Friends of Karen’s “Holiday Gifts for Kids” Puts Smiles on Sick Children’s Faces

“The most important thing that Friends of Karen provided for us was the warmest holiday of memories that our family experienced.  They sent us gifts from our children’s wish lists, allowing me to stay home with the family, baking cookies and enjoying more precious time together.”

Friends of Karen received this letter from the mother of a boy battling a brain tumor.  Every day, Friends of Karen is a lifeline for families caring for a child with cancer or another life-threatening illness, providing the emotional, financial and advocacy support (at no cost) that helps them cope with the most difficult experience imaginable.  With compassion, dedication and expertise, Friends of Karen meets the specific needs of each family – and each family member – to help free them of everyday concerns so they have more time to love.

This time of year, their “Adopt-A-Family” Holiday Gifts for Kids program provides gifts for each Friends of Karen sick child as well as his or her siblings.  “Watching the joyful expression of a child opening holiday gifts is unforgettable,” says Judith Factor, Friends of Karen’s Executive Director, “but these special moments can be so fleeting if your child is fighting for her or his life. With doctor visits, medical treatments and hospitalizations, parents don’t have the time or the mindset to shop for gifts and prepare for holiday festivities.”

The Adopt-A-Family program is a perfect opportunity to spread the holiday spirit. “Each of our children sends us their wish list,” says Factor. “Then we match each child with a kind-hearted ‘elf’ who purchases the items on their list. We send the gifts with ribbon, wrapping paper and all the trimmings to the child’s parents, to make a holiday of surprises and delight.”

“We love to put smiles on children’s faces, and our children often have little reason to smile,” says Factor. “Imagine being the reason for a child’s happiness.  What better way to celebrate the holiday spirit than by giving to a child?”

You can create those smiles: Friends of Karen needs your help to make sure there are gifts for every one of their sick children and their sisters and brothers. To help, contact Denise Tredwell at 914-617-4052 or DeniseTredwell@friendsofkaren.org  If you don’t have time to shop, you can make a donation: go to www.FriendsOfKaren.org and click on “Holiday Gifts for Children” on the right.

Friends of Karen is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and the only organization in the Tri-State area that provides a comprehensive range of services and programs to enable families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness to cope better.  Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Purdys, NY, with other offices on Long Island and in Manhattan, Friends of Karen has touched the lives of almost 12,000 children.  Charity Navigator, an independent organization that evaluates the financial responsibility and effectiveness of thousands of U.S. charities, gives Friends of Karen a 4-star rating, its highest award.  For more information about Friends of Karen, visit www.FriendsOfKaren.org or call 914-617-4040.

Filed Under: Happy Holidays Tagged With: cookies, emotional support, holiday memories

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Over 350 Students From 31 Schools Attend 21st Annual Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center High School Institute at Iona University
  • Greeley Boys Swim & Dive Team Wins State Championship Title Second Year in a Row
  • Chabad Center Invitation to a Community Passover Seder: “Don’t Pass Over Passover!”
  • New Castle Fire District No. 1 Announces Bond Referendum to be Held April 25
  • Don’t Resist JUST DESSERTS at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center April 28-30
  • When There’s A Dog in Your Life

Please Visit

Chappaqua School Foundation
White Plains Hospital
William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Westchester Table Tennis
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Armonk Tennis Club
Raveis: Stacey Sporn
Compass: Natalia Wixom
Houlihan: Alicja Bohmrich
Raveis: Sena Baron
Boys & Girls Club
Houlihan: Kile Boga-Ibric
Arbonne: Jill Kay
King Street Creatives
Houlihan Lawrence – Rusminka Rose Jakaj
Compass: Yona Stougo

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Chappaqua Inside Armonk Inside Pleasantville

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2023 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in