Kids Unlimited believes no child should be forgotten this holiday season. Together, we can give them a reason to hope.

“Our goal is to make every child feel special,” said Tom Cole, KU founder and CEO. “Memories of the holidays are so important to a child.”

Hope for the Holidays is KU’s annual campaign to support our most vulnerable children and families — more than 1,000 in Southern Oregon. Please help us ease their everyday struggles with some simple, seasonal gifts.

A board game can lighten the mood of a family whose financial burdens weigh heavily. A few cookies and cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows can feel like a luxury. Together, we can give families who experience poverty all year a reason to smile and believe in their community’s generosity and kindness.

“It’s incredible to see children, who often have very little, light up with happiness to find a toy, new clothing or a special meal they love to eat.” One-hundred percent of the donations KU receives directly benefit those in need, providing groceries, supplying clothes, furnishing homes and spreading cheer. When we make Christmas trees or festive meals possible, we help to make the Unlimited possible.

“Regardless of circumstances, we can make sure our neediest children and families are not forgotten,” said Cole.

Keep the holiday spirit alive all year with a monthly, recurring donation.  

These regular, monetary commitments to Kids Unlimited’s mission renew the organization’s hope each month in our community’s generosity. It’s easy to set up a recurring donation in any amount using the secure payment system at the link below.

Pledge $5 each month to buy a student’s lunch, or $25 for an entire week of lunches. Larger monthly donations keep our charter school classrooms stocked with supplies, engage our families with educational activities and boost our scholarship fund for graduating high school seniors. Go to kuoregon.org/hope

Make it a recurring donation, and you help make the Unlimited possible!

Donations would warm disabled woman’s family

A space heater, twin-size bed and other household goods would improve the living environment of this disabled mother and two young sons.

After seeking asylum at the Mexican border three years ago, the 28-year-old woman has legal U.S. resident status and works to support her 7- and 2-year-old boys. Her oldest son in tow, the woman exhibited signs of physical abuse when she fled her native Guatemala to Mexico and then to the United States. She speaks no English, does not read or write in Spanish and, because of her disabilities, has significant difficulties communicating verbally in her native language.    

Her oldest son, however, is bilingual since attending Kids Unlimited Academy in Medford and acts as an interpreter for his mother. Serving a student population that is approximately 70% Latino, about half from non-English-speaking households, KUA offers robust instruction in English language development with numerous bilingual staff, about 40% of the school’s total.

“Her kid is the kindest, sweetest, most loving kid … for all the adversity,” said Michelle Hull, KUA front office manager, who, two years ago, saw the boy playing outside a motel across Riverside Avenue from the charter school and invited his family to enroll.

The younger boy attends Southern Oregon Head Start while the mother does janitorial work. Although the woman qualifies for transportation assistance, she typically is unable to communicate where she needs to go, so she rides a bicycle from her Medford apartment to her workplace.

A collapsible stroller would greatly assist the family when they take bus transportation. A space heater would warm their apartment, where the heat is not adequately functioning. An electric kettle and some good-quality food storage containers would assist the mother’s meal preparation.

The older boy, who is in second grade at KUA, could use a warm jacket, in boys’ size 8, and his own twin-size bed with mattress, sheets and comforter. The whole family shares one bed since the woman’s boyfriend suddenly died this year. The mother and sons had no indication the man was ill, although he likely died of liver cirrhosis, said the woman’s caseworker.

The woman wasn’t able to call for help because she doesn’t recognize numbers well enough to dial 911, said her caseworker, who called on her behalf. After the man’s death, his extended family took many of his belongings from the apartment, and the woman was left without transportation and limited means to pay her rent.

The family does have a small television, and the gift of a DVD player and movies would delight the boys. The toddler could benefit from some age-appropriate learning toys, and both kids would like balls to use at the park. The older boy is “crazy to go to Chuck E. Cheese,” said the woman’s caseworker.   

To help, fill out and return the enclosed form with your monetary donation. To contribute gift items, contact Hull at mhull@kuaoregon.org or call 541-774-3900.