For 25 years, The Hope For Youth Foundation has raised money by producing and selling the “Hudson Valley Weather Calendar,” which features beautiful photographs of the region and the forecast for every day of the year. More than $2,500,000 has been raised over the years – and every penny has been donated to local children’s charities. Back when it started in 1989, Friends of Karen was the very first charity to receive a grant from the foundation.
“We want to help children who’ve been dealt a lousy hand in life,” says Jim Witt, co-founder of The Hope For Youth Foundation, creator of the calendar, and a star weather forecaster at radio station WHUD 100.7 for over 40 years. “Friends of Karen has stayed at the top of our list – we know we’ve giving the money to the right people. They’ve helped so many families who could have fallen apart.”
Friends of Karen is the only organization in the New York Tri-state area that provides vital, practical and comprehensive support, at no cost, to families caring for a child with cancer or another life-threatening illness, from diagnosis through treatment. Driven by compassion for families facing the most difficult experience imaginable, Friends of Karen’s services help free them of everyday needs and concerns, so they have more time to love.
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The Hope For Youth Foundation made their first gift to Friends of Karen at the recommendation of someone whose 7-year-old daughter had died of a brain tumor. Friends of Karen had provided emotional and financial support to her and her family, and her parents wanted to help other families get the same kind of support.
“I’ve seen what they do, and the results,” Jim says. “There are so many stories from families about how Friends of Karen stepped in and made an enormous difference in their life. They are a resource like no other.”
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“The Hope For Youth Foundation is a friend indeed to Friends of Karen,” says Judith Factor, Friends of Karen’s Executive Director. “Their many years of support helps make possible all we do for our children and their families.”
Friends of Karen serves all qualified families without regard to race, religion, or national origin, and has offices in Westchester, Long Island and New York City. For more information, visit www.FriendsOfKaren.org or call 914-617-4040.
