K.I.D.S. Launches National Grass Roots Campaign in 2012

Throughout its history, K.I.D.S. has partnered with social service agencies across the country to distribute the new product that it receives as donations from manufacturers and retailers. In 2011, K.I.D.S. increased the list of "active" agencies with which it collaborates to ensure that merchandise is directed as broadly as possible to those in need.

Building on the foundation is has laid in every state of the country, in 2012, K.I.D.S. will establish an overall national campaign to solicit product, raise money and increase awareness that connects the dots between local and national activities. The major components of the national campaign include:

A national "Clothes for K.I.D.S." Drive throughout the country culminating in a national event;
Linking product donors with the five regional distribution centers in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Milwaukee, New York and Philadelphia to make the giving process more tangible;
Running local fundraisers in communities where K.I.D.S. has a presence;
Managing multiple forms of bottom up, top down communications among all K.I.D.S. stakeholders (e.g., product donors, cash contributors, agencies, local groups); and
Establishing real-time communication and interactivity.

The campaign will also build on K.I.D.S.' relationship with several retailers in which product is picked up or delivered to community agencies from the hundred plus stores that are located in communities throughout the country. Whether working with the local doors of Toys"R"Us, Gymboree, Carter's or Lord & Taylor, K.I.D.S. has brought together the store managers with recipients to realize the "gift of giving." These community partnerships will be strengthened and highlighted during the course of the year, ensuring that communities can more actively avail themselves of the donation process.

In addition, local friend and fundraisers will be held not only to raise resources but to increase awareness of K.I.D.S' within local communities. While families are being helped by K.I.D.S. in the smallest to largest communities in our country, most people hardly know of the organization behind the giving and caring that takes place at K.I.D.S.

We look forward to 2012 being a year of even greater communication between our partners so that the dots among all stakeholders are linked in a common goal of "giving back in brand new ways."