As the Director of Distribution for Kids Wish Network, I am grateful for our ever faithful donors that give to our organization. Every day I come into the office and my goal is to ensure that every child we encounter will have what they need and then some. It brings me so much joy to see the tons of amazing toys that leave our warehouse and know in my heart that some very deserving children are going to be smiling and filled with happiness because of them. My heart overflows with joy every time I get a letter or survey back from a facility that we have served telling us how the children enjoyed the toys, games and various other gifts that were sent to them. I am so thankful that I can get up every morning and make a difference in a child’s life. I live to see that these kids are happy!

Barbara
Director of Distribution

Talk about adorable! We received a total of ten pallets of the cutest, most huggable puppets from Folkmanis! These plush puppets are designed so that it really looks as if the little white bunny is coming right out of the hat. They are so soft and perfect for a large range of ages! A great big huge thanks to our friends and faithful donors ant Folkmanis!

Many children are going to be smiling and enjoying these wonderful creative puppets!

Barbara Askin
Director of Distribution

We had another very exciting week here in the Distribution Department and I guess you could say that there is never a dull moment! You see, we just had the privilege of receiving 44 pallets from Fashion Angel of paper doll fashion design kits and fantastic pencils that are full of wonderful color and designs. It was such incredible treat to see this amazing donation come to life as it was delivered here to Kids Wish Network by two 53 foot trailers. Our faithful friends at CSX were generous enough to come to our aid by picking them up and delivering them to us. It is companies like Fashion Angels and CSX that allow us to carry out our mission to bring joy and happiness to very deserving children all across the US.

Barbara Askin
Director of Distribution

Today I had the honor of accepting an award from the Salvation Army Domestic Abuse Shelter with my colleague Susan on behalf of Kids Wish Network. As I sat through the presentation, it hit me how much of an impact Kids Wish Network has on these moms and their children. One mother shared her success story with us. I was very troubled at first when she began to tell about the horrific life that she had prior to getting help from the shelter. I couldn’t imagine how scared she must of been or how she and her child even made it out of their situation alive.

As I gazed around the room to see the reactions of others, it dawned on me that all the amazing people sitting around me were working as one whether it be Kids Wish Network, local police and detectives on a mission to protect these battered women and children, or government entities structured just to meet this need in the community. We are all coming together as one to make their lives better and helping them to have that second chance that some of these women and children never thought they would have.

Working with these local abuse centers for battered women and children along with many other local facilities has changed my life forever in a good way. Hearing stories of how Kids Wish Network has changed the lives of these children and their families is just so awesome.

Heather
Distribution Department

What exciting surprises came our way in the Distribution Department last week! Our faithful and consistent donors at King Features Syndicate sent us a whole bunch of merchandise that we were not expecting: 15 boxes filled to the brim with an assortment of Betty Boop merchandise including pajamas, t-shirts, slippers, purses, pillows, and plush to mention just a few! The great part about their donation is that there is something to enjoy for all ages. Don’t we all love Betty Boop? We will be including “Betty Boop” in all of our gift bank packing over the next few weeks. We are so grateful to King Feature Syndicate for their generosity and commitment to Kids Wish Network.

Barbara
Distribution Director

A little over a year ago I was hired to work in the distribution department for Kids Wish Network. Upon taking my post and learning all the new challenges that were laid before me, I was excited to be able to be part of something that was so inspiring.

After getting familiar with Kids Wish Network and all that we do here to help children, I was inspired so deeply and moved by the many heart warming stories that I challenged myself to do whatever I could to help these children in need. Getting up for work every morning was not about being a single mother and making sure all the bills were paid but became a personal mission for me to make sure that I did everything possible to help in any way I could to see that these deserving kids got everything that they needed and more.

Then, all of the sudden last week, I found myself sitting on the other side of the fence when my oldest son was diagnosed with a tissue mass found growing from his Thymus. Not all of the details have been determined yet. Waiting and worrying are the worst when you are trying to find out how bad it is going to be.

Is it cancer? What am I going to do? My son is an adult but it doesn’t matter from a mother’s point of view. I found myself thinking about all of those stories of the children we have helped and the families that have had to endure all the trials and tribulations that go along with having a sick child. I would like to personally thank each and every child along with their family members for sharing their children and their lives with us. They have given me the strength and the will not to give up and to keep on going no matter what. They have taught me over the last year that perseverance is everything. Furthermore, the staff here at Kids Wish are the most kindest compassionate people I know. They are not just my co-workers, they are my friends. It’s not just because of my circumstances that I have come to realize this. Its always been this way. They always support one another and truly care about these children and their families, just the same as they have shown me. Just a reminder: life gets busy, things get crazy, but don’t forget about your kids. Hug them and tell them you love them everyday. Encourage them regardless of circumstances to be strong individuals and to give of themselves unselfishly.

Heather
Distribution Department

I am so excited to be part of the local gift bank program that we do here at Kids Wish Network. This is my second Holiday Season that I am preparing for with local facilities that house homeless and abused children. The need for toys and items for them is tremendous this year and Kids Wish Network will be able to spread the joy of the season to many children who might not even have a chance to have a holiday.

It is a wonderful feeling to get up every day knowing that I have the chance to bring a smile to a hurting child’s face or to give someone hope. It’s a privilege to be able to work alongside my awesome co-workers and do what we do everyday!!

Heather
Distribution Department

All work and no play makes Ashley a dull girl…No, seriously. I know it sounds like fun, but we will definitely be working!

Kids Wish Network really needs baby items for distribution so next week we’re heading to Vegas for the Annual ABC Kids Expo.

I have no doubt we will meet many, many nice people who will help us out. Keep you fingers crossed, I’ll update you on our return!

Ashley
Distribution Department

Wow, we just received 5 pallets of the most awesome games from USAopoly! We are going to reach a lot of kids with these really cool games. Monopoly sure ain’t what it was when I was a kid; they have a version for everything under the sun now. USAopoly ROCKS!!!

Ashley
Distribution Department

Kids Wish Network was able to celebrate the Holiday Season by donating approximately $260,000 in merchandise to local charities through out the tricounty area! These donations brought much joy and laughter to children during the holiday season. Due to the difficult economic conditions this year, many local charities were unable to provide for these children that are either sick or underprivileged. We are so grateful and happy to be able to give back into our local communities that work very hard to provide for local children. What a great way to start the New Year!

Distribution Department

Local children from Citrus and Pinellas counties in Florida will be having a blast this Holiday Season regardless of our economic condition. Kids Wish Network is more than excited to be able to give toys and necessities worth $20,000.00 each in retail value to CHIPS, as well as the Citrus County Family Resource Center for the homeless. We are so honored to be able to help them out!

Distribution Department

The Distribution Department is so excited to have received a huge donation from Back to Basics totaling over $71,000.00. These fantastic toys and books will be distributed directly to the hospitals and wish children through out the US. Children across America will be screeching with joy and have many hours of laughter and play thanks to Back to Basics. We are so grateful for this donation for our wonderful children!