2nd Annual SKIDS Halloween Bash – October 26th, 2007
The 2nd Annual SKIDS Halloween Party was a great success, with 350 to 400 people in attendance.  We literally almost brought down the house with all the dancing.  There were some great costumes and everyone had a great time. 
The best part of course is that we raised just under $1000.00 to put towards the Christmas Care packages for the kids at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The Care Packages were built with items such as coloring books, crayons, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lollipops and toys.

SKIDS Foundation was very proud to participate in this fundraiser and in this project as a whole.  The children at the Havasupai Indian Reservation are often living in such poverty that many of us cannot comprehend.  That situation can deny them the simple pleasures of being a child. These Christmas Care Packages gave them that joy of simply having a new toy, and something to play with, even if for short time. 

Party Invite-
Get your costume ready for the 2nd ANNUAL SKIDS HALLOWEEN BASH!

Put on your Halloween Costumes and join us at the BIGGEST Halloween Bash of the year!!

Friday, October 26th at 10133 North 6650 West, in Highland. The fun starts at 8pm and goes until we get tired!

There will be dancing, of course!! There will be food and drinks! There will be HOTT single people everywhere! So put on your Halloween best and come dance, socialize and have a great time!!!

What to bring: $3 to get in (or 2 people for $5) — ALL money is going to provide Christmas Care Packages for kids at the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

What to wear: HALLOWEEN COSTUMES!
Who to bring with you:  All your friends! :) The more the merrier! 

Where to go: 10133 North 6650 West, in Highland (See directions below)

*** This event is being hosted by the SKIDS Foundation (Supporting Kids in Desperate Situations). ALL money raised will be used to purchase supplies to make Christmas Care Packages for kids at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. 

** This event is a non-smoking/non-drinking event. Singles, attached and married of all ages (over 18) are welcome.

* Feel free to bring treats to share!

Don't forget to check out all the photos from last year's party at:  http://beapartofthesolution.blogspot.com

2007 Summer Activities that SKIDS recommends for everyone! 
Community involvement is a high priority for SKIDS and its board members. As part of our community involvement efforts we encourage everyone to get out and participate this spring, summer and fall in the many charitable events that are going on! Below you will find information on the many walks, 5Ks, etc that are going on around the Salt Lake Valley. If an event has passed, bookmark the URL so that you can participate next year!

OPTION 1:
Saturday, May 5th - Blow the Whistle on Asthma at the American Lung Association's Asthma Walk. At: Sugar House Park, Salt Lake City Event start time: 9:00 am.
When you can't breathe - nothing else matters! Asthma is the leading chronic illness among children and the cause of more than 5,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. This event has passed, but we loved participating! We will definitely make this a yearly event for the SKIDS team! Visit: LINK for more information on how you can be involved.

OPTION 2:
Saturday, May 12th - Race for the Cure at the Komen Foundation Breast Cancer walk/run. Start Time: 8:30am (End Time: 12:00pm) Location: The Gateway at South Temple and 400 West in Salt Lake City.
It's not only women that are affected by breast cancer! Their families and friends are all affected too. In honor of all the children that have been affected because their Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, or Friend has suffered, died or hopefully recovered from Breast Cancer... SKIDS formed a team for the Race for the Cure! It has been a wonderful experience being involved in this event and we look forward to making this a yearly event for the SKIDS team! Please visit: LINK for more information on how you can be involved in finding a cure for Breast Cancer!

OPTION 3:
Relay for Life - June 15th-16th This event is in downtown Salt Lake at the Gallivan Center, and it should be especially fun. It is June 15th and 16th. Visit: LINK for details. There are events all over the country from June to August. To find an event close to you, please visit: LINK

OPTION 4:
Dash for Donation - August 11th Visit the following page to register or get information on volunteering: LINK

OPTION 5:
Utah Heart Walk - September 8th Join the SKIDS team at: LINK

OPTION 6:
Diabetes Walk - September 29th Visit LINK for more information!

A message from Tiffini Nielsen, Member of the Board of the SMILES Abroad Foundation.
www.SmilesAbroad.org
It has my undivided attention these days and I'm so excited about everything that we've been able to do and are continuing to do in Agua Prieta, Mexico!! I thought you might want to know what we were able to do with the funds from our Cinco de Mayo "Salsa for SAF" event. Since our initial expedition, we've been able to establish close ties with community leaders including the Mayor, Director of Public Health, and DIF Director of Humanitarian Outreach. We have worked together to facilitate some programs for growth in the area, particularly in the outlying area called the Colonia where poverty is rampant. I have some pictures that show the "Have" and "Have Not" that is particular to border towns and definitely prevalent in Agua Prieta.

One of the most immediate needs we found was an ambulance that could make the journey to the capital city of Hermosillo where patients in critical care could obtained more advanced medical care. The van posing as ambulance that had made the journey in the past was not only on its last leg, but had given up the ghost! SAF was able to coordinate with Gold Cross who donated an ambulance which we drove from SLC to Agua Prieta where it was received by the Health Department officials and Mayor Cuadras. We have acquired supplies and equipment to stock the ambulance through Kaiser Permanente, the Swanson Foundation, and other charitable donors.

Over the past year, SAF has helped build homes where shanties and lean-to's once were thrown together for survival and these homes instill a sense of pride. We have involved community members in the micro-industry of brick-making to replenish materials and provide a small profit. Neighbors are encouraged to get involved and make brick that will be used in the construction of their family's own home. In December, SAF will lead an expedition of 75 volunteers to the Colonia and construct 9 homes in the 4 days we are there.

On our last trip to Agua Prieta, we toured the orphanages, schools, and at-risk youth centers in the community. One of the greatest needs at this point is a school bus and supplies for all of these facilities. SAF has found a school bus that fits the needs of these children and our goal is to fill the school bus through various fundraisers. We have additional towing capability and hope to maximize our limitations with donations!! The school bus will caravan with the SAF construction volunteers in December and make its way to the children Agua Prieta!!

We are excited about the opportunities for growth and humanitarian outreach with Smiles Abroad Foundation in coordination with the SKIDS Foundation in this community and others. This Spring, we look forward to a Medical Expedition. If you are interested in getting involved, please send your inquiries to info@smilesabroad.org. I'll keep you informed and get you involved in some of the most amazing experiences of your life!! I promise it'll leave you smiling :)

A message from Jennifer Streiff / Director of Charitable Events & Member of the Advisory Board.
Ok... One last quick thank you to everyone who helped with the First Annual SKIDS Halloween Bash!! And more importantly, a special thanks to everyone who attended the event of the season!!! Because frankly... no matter how much planning and prep work I do, it makes zero difference if the party doesn't get a good turn out! So thank you for coming and spending the evening celebrating with us!

The final count for donations was $2,145...

As you all know, we have put that money towards supplies for the Road Home Shelter. I talked to the shelter the day after the party and discussed with them which items they really needed most. She was hesitant to ask for anything, as if the phone call was too good to be true and she didn't want to jinx it. Once I gave a little encouragement by listing off the items I was thinking of buying, she finally started to open up a little more. It turns out that they had almost no pillow cases, zero dish towels, very few sheets, etc. They are also always short on blankets, and especially on socks. So... we got all those things and a few other items too! Below you will find a list of the all the items that were acquired (we even had a few items donated at the party so I have added those item in too)!

46 Coats 10 Hats 27 Gloves 158 Pairs of Socks 41 Blankets 20 Pillows

98 Pillowcases 16 Sheets Sets 34 Bath Towels 32 Hand Towels 72 Wash Cloths 96 Dish Towels

These items will make a HUGE difference for this shelter and many lives will be touched because of the generosity of all of you! And don't forget to check out all the photos from the party below!

I thank you sincerely for your generosity and wonderful charitable spirits!