Cheer for Children

Description

Cheer for Children was founded in
1985 as an all-volunteer organization to help
children in the South
Bay. It started out with about 10 devoted volunteers and now,
with
community help and commitment, we have hundreds of volunteers that help at
different parties and events for children.

We volunteers will
continue to do the great work Pam Edwards, our founder, started
with
the support of generous donors such as yourselves. The volunteers that were
fortunate enough to work with her in this endeavor share her commitment to
helping
children and families in the South Bay.

Parties are held
for acutely ill children and their siblings at Harbor UCLA Hospital at
Halloween and Christmas.

We have also "adopted"
2-O.H.(orthopedically handicapped) schools where we have
parties for
Easter, Halloween, Christmas and summer (this year was our 7th annul
Luau) events. When money allows we take children on special field trips
(fishing day
at the pier) or bring fun things to them (we've had a
mobile aquarium visit one of the
schools).

We have no
administrative costs as we operate exclusively with donations and
volunteers. At holiday time last year we helped over 1,300 children that
might not
have had Christmas. They are referred to us by schools,
churches, Fire Depts., and
social workers. Santa was there thanks to
the generosity of the community and the
excellent press that we
receive. Toys and toiletries (we give out over 3,000
toothbrushes) are
collected through home and company parties all year round. At
Christmas, we have an "Adopt a Family" Program where you can help a family
or
individual child with toys, clothes and/or gift certificates. Last
year we helped over
130 families.

Now, more than ever, with the
slower economy and raising costs, we need your help.
We have more
needier families than ever. Thank you for thinking of us in the past and
hopefully in the future