Dear Friend of For the Need,

Wow, thank you for sticking with us for eight months of newsletters. We do what we do to transform young lives and to break the cycle of unfortunate circumstances, but knowing that you are here following along makes our journey all the more sweet. Now, for some updates:

🏃‍♀️ I like to Move it, Move it! Do you? 🏃

What better way to get kids and families moving than to introduce them to fun activities they can do at home while the ~Olympics~ are all over the news? At For the Need, we are all about changing lives and truly having a long-term impact. That is why each event we host focuses on a key building block needed to help us hit our targets in life.

Last Saturday, August 10th, we hosted our fourth event of the Bow & Arrow Mentorship Program themed around healthy movement and not giving up. We heard from Master David Chang, founder of Tigon Martial Arts and inspired the kids to add exercise into their daily lives.

Master David shared his story of humble beginnings and overcoming adversity. “If they kick 100 kicks, I will kick 200 kicks” was the quote resounding in our minds as the event went on.

The kids got to do Volleyball, Tae Kwon Do, Calisthenics, Jump Rope, and Flexibility exercises while the parents had their own session geared toward keeping the momentum going at home, having a plan with their kids for exercise, and more.

After lunch, we revamped our MentorHub app, where the Mentors can safely connect with our Mentees and we had our Arrow Store open, where the kids “Arrows” could spend their hard earned tickets that they have earned by attending our events, helping others, and hitting their targets in life! 

The smiles were unforgettable throughout the whole event as this was one of our most fun yet. These events just keep getting better. Thank you to WM, our featured partner, for making these events possible.

Summer Camp was a Success! 🥳

After months of research (to find the best camps), of coordination, of fundraising, and of support from you, we successfully sent SEVENTEEN kids to summer camp. WOW! Each child received all the clothing and supplies needed along with a ride to and from camp to keep it 100% free for them.

Camp Staff reported that the kids had a great time even though they missed their moms. Sofia from Camp Bob Waldorf noted that one kid in particular could always be seen with a smile on his face. At the camp, they also have free clothes the kids can “shop” for. One kid got a nice button up that he loved so much that he wore it for three days!

A HUGE thank you to WM for matching donations, to all our donors, to those who drove kids to summer camp, and to Sofia from Camp Bob Waldorf for coordinating with us and being so incredible with our kids!

🎄 Never too Early to Plan ⛄

Do you know how For the Need started? Way back in 1999, the founders Myan and Viviana Spaccarelli decided they would give back to the community by hosting a Christmas party at an LA hospital for children.

Since then, for twenty-two out of the last twenty-four years, we have hosted the best Christmas party possible at LA General Medical Center filled with cupcake decorating, face painting, ornament making, Santa Claus, a marionnette show or magician, the LA Laker Girls, and so much more for thousands of children and their families!

In 2024, we are back for another AWESOME Christmas Party for kids in need. We plan to have the best party yet, so we’ve already begun the  planning process. If you have any contacts with the Lakers or Dodgers or any special guests you think would inspire the kids in the Hospital, please reply and let me know.

🏓 Paddle to Empower Fundraiser 🥒

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Top Tier Pickleball is hosting a “Top Tier” tournament to raise funds for our expansion into LA! 

We are currently seeking sponsors for this tournament, and we would love to put your name or company’s name on our materials to raise awareness for your business.

You are invited to compete and to bring your friends. Simply sign up below. And if you are unable to compete, no worries! You can still help us reach our goal by donating online or by check.

SAVE THE DATE

October 19-20, 2024 at Sinaloa Middle School Courts in Simi Valley, CA.

🌱 It Takes a Village 🌱

We are so blessed to have such amazing partnerships. Thank you to WM for continuing to make our events possible and to our budding partnerships with Universal Waste Systems (UWS), The Simi Valley Family YMCA, Premier America, Black Opal Automotive, and more! If you know of a potential partner for us in LA, please reach out to us as it all takes a village!

Thank you,
Allie Spaccarelli