Passion 4 K.I.D.S. Charity Launches National Campaign Asking 25,000 People to Donate $10 to Buy Specially Equipped Home for Baby Paralyzed by Uninsured Teen Drunk Driver
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) August 30, 2011
Passion 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Desperate Situations) 501 (c) (3) charity is launching a major national campaign called “25,000 Giving Just $ 10″. If 25,000 people donate a minimum of $ 10, the children’s charity will be able to purchase a small home for the little boy affectionately known as “Baby Izaiah” who remains paralyzed from the neck down and breathing on a ventilator since being violently struck by a teen driving drunk while being wheeled in his stroller.
The campaign’s successful initial launch in San Diego County raised $ 100,000 within several months but with inquiries now coming in from around the country, including even soldiers in Iraq, Passion 4 K.I.D.S. has expanded its efforts to allow those touched by this tragic story of baby Izaiah to participate in helping Izaiah’s young family move into their own small home specially equipped to accommodate little Izaiah’s handicapped needs. The charity needs to raise an additional $ 250,000 to purchase the home and renovate as needed. Tax deductible contributions can be made on http://www.passion4kids.com
“This campaign is designed to allow everyone to participate no matter the size of their contribution,” according to Linda Van Kessler, who along with husband Charles is the founder of Passion 4 K.I.D.S. “Many people feel like just a small gift of even $ 10 can’t make a difference so they don’t contribute but the San Diego campaign launch of raising $ 100,000 was achieved 95% by individuals making small contributions. We want to empower people to give anything they can and to know that together we CAN make a difference for baby Izaiah and his family.”
Izaiah Wallis, an 18 month old energetic baby, was being wheeled in his stroller on the sidewalk by his grandfather on the way to the park when suddenly his life was forever changed by a teen drunk and highdriver who struck him at 9 am on a Monday morning, according to the North County Times. Ten months and six surgeries later, Izaiah continues to be paralyzed from the neck down with severe brain injury, partially blind, is nourished through a feeding tube, has a colostomy and breathes through a ventilator and tracheotomy.
Doctors have told Izaiah’s young parents that short of a miracle Izaiah will remain in this condition for the remainder of his life due to the severity of injury to his spinal cord. Izaiah was released to come home and will require 24/7 care, physical and occupational therapy for his entire life. These staggering costs will be the sole responsibility of Izaiah’s 22 year old parents who have no health insurance. According to Sign On San Diego, the teen responsible for the accident was here illegally and had no insurance or license. To date the medical bills for Izaiah total over $ 3.5 million. His mom recently went back to part-time minimum wage work to earn some income for the family and his dad stays at home 24/7 caring for Izaiah and running all the medical equipment that keeps him alive.
Recently Dr. Dennis Maness, the brain specialist who is overseeing Izaiah’s post-hospital treatment, has indicated that it is a medical necessity that Izaiah get into another home as soon as possible for many reasons affecting his health: the current home is termite-infested and his immune system cannot tolerate for it to be fumigated, there are possible lead paint and asbestos issues, the windows in his room are far from airtight and the dampness and air get in very severely (Izaiah has twice suffered pneumonia), the halls cannot accommodate his wheelchair, the bathroom door cannot accommodate his wheelchair, his wheelchair cannot get into the shower to bathe him, etc. According to the doctor, This is not a luxury - it is a necessity for Izaiahs health.
This has been a huge media story in San Diego for the past 10 months and has now gone national with coverage on MSNBC and Univision.
Passion 4 K.I.D.S. desperately needs help to reach its ultimate goal of $ 350,000 for the home to be paid in full. Progress can be charted on the home page of Passion 4 K.I.D.S.
A video has been published about baby Izaiah’s heart-wrenching story.
About Passion 4 K.I.D.S. : Passion 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Desperate Situations) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dealing with homeless, neglected, abandoned, abused and underprivileged children of any race, color and creed as well as children in emergency situations. Because of founder, Charles Van Kesslers, background having been raised in a state run orphanage during WWII surviving on flower bulbs and enduring every abuse imaginable, he started Passion 4 K.I.D.S. in 1986. When he met his bride in 2001 in San Diego, together with his wife Linda, they developed the charity into a more active organization. With Linda being a mentor for the San Diego County Foster Youth Program, Charles’ and Linda’s love for children makes it a perfect fit to expand their meaningful humanitarian mission.
Charles and Linda believe in having a very hands on approach both in the day to day operations of the charity as well as the lives of the children they work with. Passion 4 K.I.D.S. donates Passion 4 Life liquid vitamins to quadriplegic, autistic and ADD/ADHD children who cant afford it. Linda also mentors foster youth in San Diego and, together with Charles, spends many weekends taking these children on fun one-on-one outings so they can bring joy, love and stability to these turbulent young lives. They build lasting relationships with the children which continue long after the children leave the Foster Youth Program. In addition, Passion 4 K.I.D.S. raises funds for children in acute, life-threatening situations. 100% of your donation goes directly to the children. There is NO overhead taken out by the charity.
Passion 4 K.I.D.S Mission Statement:
To dedicate ourselves to glorify and honor God for His many blessings to us by making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable and precious of His creation children
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