Blessed

Many of you may have been wondering how KHNK got the idea to have a 5k race this fall. KHNK is always on the lookout for new ways to fundraise in order to better support all of the children KHNK supports in such tough economic times. Perhaps our most-well known program has been Christmas in a Shoebox which has been conducted at the Calverton School for the past 4 years. In 2009, we sold pizza at Beltsville Day, a community oriented event in Beltsville, MD. Our most recent and most successful fundraiser was the Breakfast Club fundraiser during which we raised almost $2,200 for the children at the Debre Libanos Orphanage to have breakfast for one whole year!

We had been brainstorming for a while, praying for God to show us fresh and innovative ways to raise money this summer. One day, one of our sponsors, Mr. Brandon Greer, told us about a local ministry that was looking for good cause to which they could give the proceeds of the 5k race they were planning in September. Excited at the opportunity to spread the word about KHNK and fundraise, KHNK was eager to get involved. We then met with Pastor Joseph Spears of Ever Increasing Life Ministries and learned more about his passion to reach out to people through sports while giving back to the community. Thoroughly impressed, we humbly accepted his offer for KHNK to be the beneficiary of the proceeds of their 5k run.

We tell you this story for several reasons. One, to demonstrate the beautiful way in which God answered KHNK’s prayers about a new way to fundraise. Two, to thank and commend Brandon for telling us about this great opportunity. Three, to encourage sponsors and friends of KHNK to be on the lookout for new ways for KHNK to raise money.

KHNK would like to thank Brandon Greer for connecting us with Ever Increasing Life Ministries and Pastor Spears.

5k run a success!

This past Saturday, September 24, 2011 Kids Helping Needy Kids partnered with Ever Increasing Life Ministries to host the first annual 5k run/2m walk for Life. It was definitely a huge success! The forecast predicted a 70% chance of rain but the rain was able to hold off during the race. Several participants chose to run and even more walked. Experienced athletes as well as families came out to support KHNK and Ever Increasing Life Ministries. Prizes were awarded to participants with the best race time in their age category. Special congratulations to the runners who finished in first place: for men, Orsam Ahmed and for women, Andrea Swierczek!

Many, many people were involved in the planning stages as well as in the logistics on the day of the race. We would like to thank them all; the race would not have gone as smoothly as it did without them! A special thank you to our sponsors, friends, and especially Ever Increasing Life Ministries because we were able to receive $1,080 in proceeds!!! We could not be happier with the outcome! We believe this is a great start and we know next year will be an even bigger success.

Top 10 Reasons Why YOU (yes, you) should participate in the 5k!

Reason #10: Impress your friends! How many people can say they’ve participated in a 5k and given back to the community all in one morning? That’s right, you can.

Reason #9: It’s a win-win situation. Not only will you feel good the rest of the day, but you’ll help needy children too!

Reason #8: Make new friends! Participating in a 5k is a new way to meet other runners who will inspire you to exercise more.

Reason #7: Free stuff! The registration fee includes race refreshments, random prize drawings, and a t-shirt. And who couldn’t use a free t-shirt?

Reason #6: Mix it up! A 5k is a great break from your normal routine.

Reason #5: Appreciate autumn! The race will be held in late September and exercising is always more tempting in cool temperatures.

Reason #4: Time to get healthy! Because driving to work just isn’t considered real exercise anymore.

Reason #3: Dust off those running shoes! You know, the ones at the bottom of your closet you haven’t brought out since the 90’s? Bring ’em back in style and run the race!

Reason #2: This could be the start of a new you! Studies show that one healthy choice can lead to another and impact your whole life. So get out there and run!

Reason #1: Give back. All proceeds go to Kids Helping Needy Kids. Think of how many children will benefit from simply an hour of your time.

Link to Register for 5k run

http://www.planetreg.com/E7158543238

The moment you've all been waiting for! The 2011 Annual Run for Life registration link is now up and running. As we mentioned in the previous blogpost, the 5k run/2 mi walk is being hosted by Ever Increasing Life Ministries of Cheltenham, MD and Kids Helping Needy Kids is their partner charity.

The race will start and finish at the Brandywine Lions Club (11501 Cherry Tree Crossing Road
Cheltenham, MD). To register for the race online, please use the link above. Registration is $35 total: $15 is for the actual race and the remaining $20 will go directly to KHNK. You will be able to register the day of the race; this will begin at 6:30am that morning. The race will begin at 8am and will be followed by an awards ceremony at 9:30am.

Many of you may be wondering how you can support KHNK if you are out of state or will not be able to make it to the race on September 24. If you would still like to support, you can use the link above to register so that KHNK will receive your monetary donation.

As always, please let us know if you have questions--about the race or anything else. We maintain a continual list of children waiting to be sponsored; please see our website (www.khnkp.org) for more information.

2011 Annual Run for Life

Do you enjoy running or walking? Are you interested in giving back to those less fortunate? If so, keep reading!

Kids Helping Needy Kids has been given a very exciting opportunity! On September 24, 2011, we will be partnering with Ever Increasing Life Ministries of Cheltenham, MD to host a 5k run/2mi walk. Participants can register in advance online or on site on the day of the race. The online registration link will be posted to our blog and on our facebook page soon. All proceeds will go directly to the children that KHNK supports.

In preparation for this event, the ministry has asked us to recruit volunteers. Examples of volunteer work include passing out water at the race, helping with on-site registration, directing runners, etc. If you are interested, please contact us at kidshelpingneedykids@yahoo.com. Also, please spread the word to family and friends in the DC/MD/VA area! We are very excited for this event and we hope you are too!

5k Run

As many of you know, it has become slightly challenging to maintain the few sponsorships KHNK has. Many sposnors, although they do the best they can, are finding it hard to keep up with their sponsorship payments. KHNK wouldn't be what it is today without our many faithful sponsors; however when a sponsor does not pay, KHNK pays for them. As a result, we are constantly looking for ways to fundraise. "Christmas in a Shoebox" and "The Breakfast Club" were wildly successful, but we are very excited for our next fundraiser, which is unlike anything we have done before. Thanks to Brandon Greer, our very own sponsor, KHNK will be partnering with Ever Increasing Life Ministries. Together, we will host a 5k run/2mi walk in September 2011! Be on the lookout for more information. We would absolutely love if every sponsor not only participated, but brought some friends along as well. Well that's all for now, folks! Hope you're as excited as we are!

Summer Bookbag Project

Hello all! Hope everyone's summer has gotten off to a great start! As some of you know, Tsige and Luladay Price will be traveling to Ethiopia for two weeks this July. We are very excited to see the sponsor children and we can't wait to update you on their situations. As shipping has become more and more expensive, we believe this trip is a great opportunity to send a special and useful gift. In preparation for our trip, we have asked that all sponsors put together a light bookbag filled with one t-shirt and a letter to your sponsor child. For our out-of-state sponsors, we ask that you email us a letter and send in $10 so we can shop for you. Please remember that space is limited and the care package needs to be very light. Rolling bookbags will not be accepted. Any other items placed in the bookbag (besides a letter and a t-shirt) cannot be sent due to space and weight constraints. The bookbags are due by July 15th. If it is not possible for you to drop it off at the Price residence, please let us know and we can work out a pick-up time. If you have any questions, please let us know!

Tell a Friend...or Possibly Two! What's New with KHNK?

Hello All!

This post is just to thank our dedicated sponsors for their continued support and contributions. We also have some exciting new highlights at KHNK! Mehron is currently hard at work on our first video to go on the website, a project that is part of the film class she is taking this semester at Harvard--look for it soon on the site! (www.khnkp.org) Please take today to tell a friend about your involvement with Kids Helping Needy Kids. If you use Facebook, add us as a friend or "like" our page to get updates from KHNK in your NewsFeed!