Why Wednesday: Because of Kenzi’s Kidz we were able to make a difference in the “T” family’s life.

February 15, 2019 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Why Wednesdays

We often get asked why we do the work we do and feel so passionately about it. People also have the misconception that our work is centered around one day a year and that is our annual toy shop. While it is true that our toy shop program is by far our largest and most impactful in one day or two depending on when our six toy shops take place, we are making an impact every day.

This past year we added a new family to our Kenzi’s Kidz program from our partners at Crossroads Safehouse in Fort Collins. Our new family was living in transitional housing after living in the shelter and doing what they could to create normalcy in their lives after dealing with things many of us can only imagine. This family, Mom and two children began hoping and praying for a place of their own to call home.

We are happy to share that “T” family found a place of their own to call home and moved in two weeks ago. When the family was preparing to move, they reached out to us to see if we could help with furniture and household items to get their new life started off on the right foot. We are thankful we were able to say “Yes” to these requests. The family prepared a wish list on Target.com for new bedding and towels.

Simple items too many but items that symbolized a new start for this family. Not only were we able to provide those items, we purchased a bed for the Mom, bunk beds for the two older children and a kitchen table. Again, these are things to call their own and help them start their new life.

This is just one of the many reasons why we do the work we do. Because of Kenzi’s Kidz and the people who support our organization, we were able to make a difference in the “T” family’s life and help them have the new start they deserve.

Thank you for supporting the work we do to impact families across the state.

Kind is the New Pretty partners with Kenzi’s Causes

December 18, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Business Spotlights

Ever been scrolling your newsfeed and see something that gives you one of life’s ah-ha moments? That’s what happened to Bree Ebbinghaus, Kind is the New Pretty founder. She came across a tweet from John Mayer that read, “If you’re pretty you’re pretty, but the only way to be beautiful is to be loving. Otherwise, it’s just congratulations about your face.” This got Bree thinking about what it truly means to be pretty or beautiful.

She and her family have always practiced and believed in the merits of kindness and giving back to others. Kendall, Bree’s daughter, was born on September 11th. Due to this being a day associated with sadness across the nation, Bree and her family try to bring some sunshine to a dark day to celebrate. They do this by performing random acts of kindness. This has become a tradition for all birthdays in the Ebbinghaus household. Like the time they took coffee and bagels to the firehouse, brought sub sandwiches to the police department, or wrote thank you notes for the school custodian to name a few. Because of how rewarding Bree found giving back to others, she thought of how she could bring a touch of kindness to everyday life while encouraging others to do the same. Hence, the concept of Kind is the New Pretty was born.

Erich, Bree, and their three children are currently supporting Kenzi’s Causes as a family. Kenzi’s Causes gives back to families across Colorado through multiple events such as the Holiday Toy Shop and Packz 4 Kidz. They also sponsor families who are in need through their Kenzi’s Kidz Program. Kenzi’s Causes is our Featured Partner in Kind meaning a portion of every sale goes directly to them every month!

For more information about Kind is the New Pretty, please visit their website at: https://kindisthenewpretty.com/

Alpine Bank is Proud to Partner with Kenzi’s Causes

October 25, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Business Spotlights, Sponsors

Alpine Bank, Member FDIC, is also an active member of the 28 Colorado communities we serve from Durango to Denver. We are excited to partner with Kenzi’s Causes which helps so many children and their families across Colorado. To us, strengthening our communities is our business. That’s why Alpine employees volunteered more 14,000 hours to support their communities last year and why the bank donated $3.7 million to Colorado nonprofits to help 500 programs reach 100,000 people statewide.

Alpine Bank is an independent, employee-owned bank, which has been helping build Colorado communities for 45 years. In a time of impersonal banking giants, Alpine Bank stands out as a full-service community bank with the personal touch–delivering the full range of personal, business, wealth management*, mortgage and electronic banking services.

Our customers tell us doing business with employees who actually own the bank makes all the difference. They cite our friendly service, flexibility in creating tailored solutions, timely local decision-making and a long-term commitment that means customer relationships with Alpine often span decades.

We call it the Alpine Way.

*Investment products are not FDIC insured. May lose value. No bank guarantee.

McDonald’s Local Owner/Operators Loves to Support the Denver Community!

September 19, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Business Spotlights

McDonald’s restaurants in the area are proud to support Kenzis Causes and its toy shops as the holidays near. That’s why local owner/operators have donated 7,500 happy meal coupons for each child served during these events. McDonald’s is always interested in helping organizations in the community and the people who live in our neighborhoods. McDonald’s also has job openings currently at all local restaurants and encourage community members to apply.

McDonald’s is committed to being American’s best first job and McDonald’s local owner/operators are looking to fill both crew and manager positions.

McDonald’s crew and managers are eligible for benefits including the free Archways to Opportunity program, which gives employees the opportunity to take FREE English-language classes, take FREE high school classes obtain a diploma and college tuition assistance. McDonald’s believes that education is the true game-changer and Archways to Opportunity provides tuition assistance to employees working at least 30 hours a week.

Growth from within at McDonald’s is a hallmark of employment with nearly 30% of positions at company-owned restaurants being filled by internal promotions. McDonald’s is also proud to empower women, giving them the opportunity to grow and succeed, with women representing 7 out of 10 managers in company-owned restaurants. Benefits can also include a flexible schedule, discounted employee meals, uniforms, paid training, and the ability to move into management.

Applications are being accepted ONLINE at https://restaurantjobs.mcdonalds.com/

or interested candidates can come into their local McDonald’s to fill out an application. Local owner/operators will then contact candidates for interviews.

Join Kenzi’s Causes for a fall fashion show on Sunday, August 26th

August 22, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Charity Events

The JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek is excited to be hosting Babes, Babies and Bloodies Brunch & Fashion Show, a fall fashion event featuring back-to-school styles from popular Cherry Creek North boutiques Skipper & Scout and Perch Denver modeled by favorite local families.

The event will be held this Sunday, Aug. 26th starting at 11 a.m. in the JW Marriott’s Fireside Event Space. Delicious brunch items and cocktails – including mimosas and Bloody Marys – will be available for purchase from Social Fare Denver Dining + Drinks.

The event is a benefit for Kenzi’s Causes, which supports underprivileged Colorado children and their families by providing toys, food & more. Please bring a new and unwrapped toy donation for their 9th annual Dolls for Daughters® & Toys for Boys® Toy Shop.

The show is free and open to the public but guests are asked to RSVP. Please click here to RSVP now.

Help Kenzi’s Causes Share the LOVE

August 21, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Raising Awareness

Are you looking for ways to support our organization? Are you active on social media?

Help Kenzi’s Causes spread the word about our causes and our upcoming Toy Drive. Below you will find some suggested posts & text to share with your network on your favorite social media sites. It’s with your support that we are able to make a difference in the lives of so many children in our community.

Use these sample post on your favorite social media platform to help us spread the love.

Sample Facebook Posts

Help@KenzisCauses make a change this Holiday Season! Support their 9th Annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Shop. To learn more about this organization watch their video here: https://youtu.be/6F141SiOw6w

Across the state in 2016, 166,000 Colorado children lived in poverty. With your help, we can impact the lives of these children by providing them a new toy for the holidays. YOU are the difference in this community and we need your support. Below is a list of items @KenzisCauses would like to purchase for the 9th Annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Shop. Consider making a donation that is meaningful to you and your business today. https://kenziscauses.org/donate

@KenzisCauses is now accepting toy and doll donations for their 9th Annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Shop. For a list of drop-off locations visit our website. https://kenziscauses.org/toy-drop-off-locations/

Save the date! December 1, 2018 is the date of the 9th Annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Shop. They are looking for volunteers of all ages to help give away toys and help assist with wrapping! https://kenziscauses.org/causes/dolls-for-daughters-toy-shop/

Help us make a difference by donating a new toy for a boy or girl ages birth to 18 at any of the @KenzisCauses drop off locations or make a monetary donation to help purchase more toys! https://kenziscauses.org/donate

Twitter posts

Help @KenzisCauses stuff the stockings for children in need. #stuffthestockings bit.ly/1EamimE

Donate toys for boys this holiday season to @KenzisCauses. #toysforboys bit.ly/1EamimE

Make a difference, donate today to help a child in need.#DFDtoydrive bit.ly/1EamimE

You can be the difference, donate a toy for a child in need.#DFDtoydrive bit.ly/1EamimE

Want to make a difference this holiday season? Donate toys to @KenzisCauses #DFDtoydrive bit.ly/1EamimE

Want to do something special for the holidays? Help @KenzisCauses provide gifts for underprivileged kids at #DFDtoydrive bit.ly/1EamimE

@KenzisCauses is taking toy donations through November 25th. Help us provide toys to underprivileged kids.#DFDtoydrive bit.ly/1EamimE

Come help us celebrate the holiday spirit; donate toys to @KenzisCauses .#DFDtoydrive bit.ly/1Eamim

Drop Off Locations Post

We are an official drop off location for the @KenzisCauses Annual Toy Drive. Bring in NEW toys for boys and girls ages birth to 18. Our goal each year is to collect 12,000 new larger toys and 12,000 smaller toys.

Sample Email to share your support.

Dear Friends/Coworkers/Team,

I am reaching out to you to let you know that [I am/we are/Company Name is] participating in the Kenzi’s Causes Annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Drive to help more than 12,000 children in our community have gifts this holiday season.

We have partnered with Kenzi’s Causes, a Denver nonprofit that has been giving toys back to children in our community since 2008.

Last year the Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Program provided a new toy and more to 11,152 children in Colorado. Their annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Shops held the first Saturday in December, provided a new toy, small toy, book and toothbrush/toothpaste kit to 6,046 children who would have otherwise gone without. 75.4% of the families they served in 2017 had a household income of $20,000 or less a year.

I am/we are excited to partner with them to help collect new toys for boys and girls until November 28th. They accept any NEW toy for boys and girls ages birth to 18 with the exception of Legos (they currently have thousands in storage). Please help us support this local charity by donating new toys.

Gift Ideas

• Soccer Balls
• Footballs
• Dolls
• Trucks
• Coloring books
• Crayons
• Nail Polish
• Make-up for Kids
• Watches for teens
• Skateboards
• Puzzles
• Toddler & Infant Toys

It takes the resources and collective hearts of many and it takes support from wonderful people like you to carry out their mission to support underprivileged children and their families in Colorado by providing toys, food and more during the holidays.

You can drop off your donations at:
Or contact ___________________ directly with more info.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for considering supporting us in providing even more children with these special gifts.
[Salutation]

To learn more about Kenzi’s Causes the good work they do visit: https://kenziscauses.org
Kenzi’s Causes and Kenzi’s Kidz is a 501(c)(3) organization. EIN: 26-4678835

Support Dolls for Daughters® by attending the Dynamix Body Solutions SKIN SPRING CLEANING Even

April 18, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post

Support Dolls for Daughters® by attending the Dynamix Body Solutions SKIN SPRING CLEANING Event. Just schedule a consultation and/or treatment from their full menu of skin care, body contouring and wellness services between 4/26 and 4/30, mention Dolls for Daughters® & Kenzi’s Kidz and 15% of your purchase will help us buy toys for our 2018 Toy Shop. Be sure to check out their amazing reviews at www.dynamixbodysolutions.com and schedule your appt. today!

Looking Back at Dolls For Daughters 2017

January 8, 2018 DFDwebmaster Blog Post

As we enter a brand-new year, it’s important to take some time to reflect on the successes of 2017. We’re so thrilled with what Dolls for Daughters® was able to accomplish last year, and we want to share these milestones with you!

Here are some of the highlights from 2017.

2017 At a Glance

2017 was a great year! We collected 42,360 toys for underprivileged children in our communities. But that’s not it! The total number of items we gave to children and families was 83,428. This number also includes things like coats, meals at McDonald’s, and oral hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss).

Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Annual Toy Shop

Our 8th Annual Dolls for Daughters® and Toys for Boys® Toy Shop was a huge success. With your support, we were able to give 11,512 children a special gift during the holiday season. Our toy shops in Denver, Fort Collins, Longmont, Colorado Springs and Rifle were filled with toys that brought joy to the children of Colorado.

View All Photos Here

Kenzi’s Kidz

In 2017, Kenzi’s Kidz helped 5 families by providing the fundamental items needed to succeed in school, including school supplies, clothing, and funding for extracurricular activities. The program also provided birthday and holiday gifts for the children in these 5 families.

Packz4Kidz

With the support of our community, Packz4Kidz provided 1,045 backpacks to children in our community. Thanks to your generosity, we exceeded our goal for 2017!

Charity Events

2017 was a big year for us. We held 6 major fundraising events to support our programs:

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated in these events! We couldn’t do any of this without your support and we’re honored to have your help meeting our goals and pursuing our mission.

Our Team

We would like to welcome Julie Wilson to our team! She joined us in January as a Development and Programs Director, and we are thrilled to have her working in our office. Julie has been working with non-profits for over 9 years and has a passion for supporting the work of mission led organizations. Julie has a variety of skills that will be beneficial to the Dolls For Daughters organization including event fundraising, working with major donors, corporate partnerships, individual giving, public relations, and marketing.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Supporters

We would not be where we are without the generous support of our community, our volunteers, and our sponsors. We want to say a huge THANK YOU for your support in 2017.

Our wonderful sponsors helped us empower children and their families to have hope for their futures. We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors:

With the successes of 2017, we can’t wait to see what the new year brings! With all of you on our side, we look forward to helping change the lives of even more children in our community.

Be Safe this Season of Giving!

November 13, 2017 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Raising Awareness

Around the holidays, we start to feel more than a drop in temperature. There is a shift in mood as people begin to plan for the holidays. We don our holiday sweaters, reconnect with loved ones, and if we’re lucky, the only contagious thing we spread around is a bit of holiday spirit. And from this surge in joy and festivities comes the season of goodwill. Many people see the holidays as a great opportunity to donate their time, money or belongings to those in need. Unfortunately, we also see a rise in holiday scams and fraud preying on this spirit of giving. So today let’s review some safety advice from ConsumerSafety.org to protect you and your family this holiday season.

There are certain tell-tale signs to identify a charity scam:

Are you being asked to wire cash or send money overseas?

Even a charity that works in other countries will have a U.S. bank account. A legitimate charity won’t ask for funds this way, or if they do, it will be one donation option among many to choose from. Keeping your bank account information to yourself and using sites with encryption technology when paying with credit cards will help to protect your finances from scams.

Does the charity solicitor make you feel uncomfortable?

If the solicitor is asking for an immediate donation, evading questions, pestering you, asking inappropriate questions or in anyway intimidating you, remember that you are in no way obligated to continue the conversation. This behavior is commonly seen in scams, and it is your right to step away from the situation.

Did the charity send you an E-mail attachment?

Don’t open it. According to Charity Navigator, legitimate charities rarely use email attachments, preferring to direct you to their website. Scammers, however, will embed viruses into those attachment links. These viruses could give scammers the ability to steal your banking information or your identity.

Before donating to a charity, do your homework. There are plenty of sites that rate charities based on their work and the way they spend their funds. You can also ask questions directly to the solicitors if you want more information and proof that they are working for a legitimate organization. Here is a helpful charity checklist from The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to go over before donating to a charity.

Now as you make both monetary and in-kind donations this holiday season, there are a few things to remember to keep those receiving your donations safety. First off, it’s important to remember that holiday donations are not a way to declutter your home. Yes, donating gently used items can be a great way to recycle toys, clothing, or other goods that your family doesn’t use. However, those receiving these gifts deserve clean, well-maintained items, not junk. There are also some used items that shouldn’t be donated at all. For example, used safety equipment like sports pads, helmets, or car seats could risk the recipient’s safety. Used cloth toys that are difficult to sanitize could spread germs or bacteria to the child in need. Avoid these types of donations to protect those you are trying to help.

Finally, remember a monetary donation is never a “lazy” or “boring” gift. For most charities, they are able to stretch their monetary donations farther to help more people in need and cover important overhead costs to continue their mission of helping the community. A check can be a bigger blessing than you might think. If you are looking for ways to volunteer your time or charities supporting the Denver community and surrounding areas this holiday season, look into the Dolls for Daughters®’ initiatives and become a force for good this season of giving!

‘Mom UP! Project’ Combines Entertainment, Information and Community Giving To Create Guilt-free Night Out

October 24, 2017 DFDwebmaster Blog Post, Charity Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mom’s Night Out Productions moves beyond movie nights to stage uplifting and fun evening for busy parents

DENVER – Moms spend a lot of time working, raising their family and caring for their community. It’s what makes a Mom’s night out so important. Yet, many Denver women find difficulty taking a break from their responsibilities in a way that still allows them to feel good about the time away from home.

Mom’s Night Out Productions, LLC was founded in 2016 to help alleviate that issue by creating fun, social events that help raise money for education. Next up for the organization is “The Mom UP! Project,” on Thursday, Jan. 25, an evening of camaraderie promising pop-up shops from unique merchants and two cash bars. A highlight of the evening will be the “30 UP! Showcase,” where attendees will hear from a wide range of expert speakers on topics ranging from the state of education and child/family temperament to women’s sexual health and the afterlife.

In addition, each attendee will receive a swag bag filled with offers from participating businesses. The best part: $8 from each ticket sold will be donated back to the Colorado school of your choice.

“Moms need a night out. That will never change. But they also want to raise funds for education,” said Tricia Chinn-Campbell, who founded Mom’s Night Out Productions. “This event will be a unique evening combining everything that helps to shape the communities we live in. That is what fueled the Mom UP! Project—a mom-strong community combined with social responsibility to help our schools and local businesses.”

Last year, the organization’s movie night fund-raisers for individual public school PTAs proved so popular, Campbell decided a broader event helping a larger number of schools was needed. Held at The Hangar at Stanley in Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood, The Mom UP! Project will welcome up to 1,500 people to enjoy shopping, experiential romps and mingling all for a great cause. What’s more, attendees will be greeted at the door with unique swag bags sure to be the talk of the evening (previous swag bags at Mom’s Night Out events have included gifts and offers valued at more than $500).

The evening’s 30 UP! Showcase will focus on a variety of topics. Those scheduled to appear include:

Eric Gorski, bureau chief of Chalkbeat Colorado – the non-profit news organization committed to covering education
Chef Maggie O’Toole, cooking teacher and professionally trained chef
Heather Hunter, evidential spirit medium
Sarah Stabio, owner of The Bar Method Denver Stapleton and certified instructor
Wendy Gossett, temperament specialist who has given frustrated parents the “user manual” for their kids
Bridget Molloy, certified herbalist who specializes in sexual well-being and women’s health

“The speaker lineup is spot on for this audience,” Campbell said. “It’s my hope that every attendee will walk away feeling they’ve learned something new or have been enlightened in some way.”

Tickets for The Mom UP! Project at The Hangar at Stanley are currently available with “early bird” pricing: $20 for ticket w/ standard swag bag; $35 for ticket w/ VIP swag bag. Early bird pricing is good through Dec. 15 after which prices increase to $27 and $42, respectively. For those who can’t make the event but still want to participate, digital swag bags are also available.