This holiday season, starting with last week’s Giving Tuesday, The Rite Aid Foundation is spreading gratitude across the nation by awarding nearly $2.1 million to partner charities through its Full of Thanks Holiday Program.
The Rite Aid Foundation created this special holiday program, which provides $5,000 grants, to help more than 400 KidCents charities across the country advance their efforts to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of children in their communities. Since 2017, The Rite Aid Foundation has awarded a total of $6.5 million through its holiday campaign.
The impact of the gifts stretches from a dynamic therapeutic riding center in Central Pennsylvania to an Oregon nonprofit that uses the power of joy to uplift children fighting cancer and serious illnesses.
“Our KidCents partner charities embody Rite Aid’s commitment to be a caring neighbor in the communities we serve. There is no better time than GivingTuesday to show our appreciation to these organizations for all they do throughout the year,” said Jessica Kazmaier, president of The Rite Aid Foundation Board of Directors and chief human resources officer for Rite Aid. “This is our way to show we are full of thanks for our partners and the important work they do to provide kids with better lives, brighter futures and increased opportunities.”
The KidCents program annually supports a select group of more than 400 nonprofit, kid-focused organizations committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children living in the communities Rite Aid serves. KidCents charities can use their Full of Thanks program grant to continue addressing critical children’s health and wellbeing issues. Charities receiving grants include:
- Children’s Cancer Association, Portland, Oregon: Last year, the Children’s Cancer Association used music, friendship and nature to deliver the healing power of joy to more than 30,000 kids and teens battling cancer and serious illnesses and their family members. It provided support for 270 families facing the emotional and financial challenges of life-threatening pediatric illnesses.
- Leg Up Farm, Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania: Leg Up Farm positively impacts the lives of 700 children, teens and adults with special needs each year by bringing a comprehensive array of services – such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and more – under one roof. In just the past year, Leg Up Farm provided 14,213 pediatric therapy appointments.
- The Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, Detroit, Michigan: The Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program supplied more than 150 boys and girls with coats and boats for the holidays, and provided 110 backpacks stuffed with school supplies. Its programs also helped 135 students receive physicals, dental screenings and eye exams.
- Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, Dalton, Ohio: The Adaptive Sports Organization of Ohio has served more than 350 youth and adults with physical disabilities and provided over 1,500 pieces of adaptive equipment to make it possible for athletes with physical disabilities to have a chance to play sports. It has also partnered with six school districts to implement wheelchair basketball programs.
- EQUI-KIDS, Virginia Beach, Virginia: EQUI-KIDS serves about 90 children with special needs and disabilities each week through its therapeutic riding program. It also works with four elementary and middle school special needs classes each year to use horses to enforce classroom curriculum.
“We are grateful for The Rite Aid Foundation’s support on GivingTuesday and throughout the year,” said Regina Ellis, founder and chief joy officer of the Children’s Cancer Association. “Improving the lives of children, especially those battling a serious illness, requires commitment, relentless dedication and partnership. We are proud to have a powerful and committed ally like The Rite Aid Foundation to help us continue our important work.”
