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Kids Korps USA challenged community members to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 16^th, 2012) by continuing Dr. King’s legacy of service to others. Several volunteer projects throughout the holiday weekend were promoted on the Kids Korps project calendar encouraging families to “Make it a day ON, not a day off,” the main slogan of the federal holiday.

Additionally, Kids Korps volunteers in City Heights participated in special service projects, provided through Kids Korps Urban Outreach program, focused on learning about Dr. King’s extraordinary life, his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, and his teachings of equality, love, and service to others. Kids Korps members had a chance to make friendship bracelets for their peers focused on these main themes, along with answering questions about their own dreams:

Husseini, Age 9

My Dream for myself is…to be a great person.
My Dream for my country is…for people to stop doing bad things.
My Dream for my world is…for it to always be a beautiful world.

Asiah, Age 13

My Dream for myself is…to be successful and have a big happy, healthy family.
My Dream for my country is…to have peace, happiness, and no homeless.
My Dream for my world is…is to have peace and happiness.

Miguel, Age 10

My Dream for myself is…to graduate from college.
My Dream for my country is…for it to be a safe country.
My Dream for my world is…for there to be no more war.

The Corporation for National and Community Service describes this Day of Service as one that “empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a beloved community.”  Kids Korps was honored to act as a community resource helping members find meaningful volunteer projects for this important Day of Service (and throughout the year!).

Last spring Kids Korps announced our new program, Hugs 4 Kids, honoring Julien Hug.  Thanks to our Hugs 4 Kids sponsors, we were able to dedicate resources to develop this innovative youth empowerment program! We would also like to thank the Hugs 4 Kids Advisory Board members for their time and commitment: Denise Hug, Jennifer Keslik-Bell, Maggie Bobileff, Andrea Carrier, Dana Knees, Marie Daniels, Joanne Wolf, and Eric Iantorno.

We are happy to announce that the Hugs 4 Kids program has now launched with the implementation of the Hugs 4 Kids website (www.hugs4kids.info). The website will provide resources and information for kids, teens, parents and educators on key topics affecting youth today. The Hugs 4 Kids website is just the starting point for this important program!

Kids Korps has dedicated the entire month of February to Hugs 4 Kids. Events have been scheduled that will introduce our members to this new program. Our goal behind these events is to help empower the younger generation to build a strong foundation of self leadership, character, and health and wellness. For more information on these events or the program, please visit us at www.hugs4kids.info and become a fan on Facebook (Hugs 4 Kids – a program of Kids Korps USA).

Interested in helping out with this new program? Please contact Chris at (760) 452-2672 or chris@kidskorps.org.

“It was a really special treat for me to be able to have another child whom I was able to put a smile on his face for Christmas day,” said Kids Korps member, Luca Csathy. “I feel like I get so many great presents and it really made me think about all the kids who don’t. I picked a little boy named Josiah who was one and a half. The only thing I wish I could have had is a picture of him opening the present. It made me so happy to wrap it for him and to know that I could do that for someone else. Giving back is really cool. I would like to do it again next year for sure!”

The clothing and gifts purchased for the Adopt – A – Child program were delivered on December 17 to Victory Church in Logan Heights where more than 150 children were given new, warm clothing for Christmas.

“I feel so honored and truly blessed to be able to deliver the hundreds of presents that were so thoughtfully and generously shopped for,” smiled Kids Korps Program Director, Robin Chappelow. “These needy children will now have warm clothes for this cold weather and the knowledge that other people in the world care about them.  The children that our volunteers purchased jackets, shoes, pants, and other clothing for, will be so happy and feel so loved when they receive these beautiful gifts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind generosity. You have truly made my Christmas and touched the hearts of these precious children this holiday season.”

Hollywood Tans and Kids Korps joined forces this holiday season to give back to our San Diego military families. Over 1,000 toys were collected for Operation Homefront San Diego to distribute at Camp Pendleton on Saturday, December 17.

The event sponsored by Lincoln Military Housing and Operation Homefront was a huge success as families arrived to be treated to a festive party for the entire family. Each family received a gift bag filled with non-perishable food and a gift certificate for the commissary. Children had their pictures taken with Santa, decorated Christmas cookies and holiday ornaments. However, the real highlight of the day for all the kids, was heading to the big, white tent filled with hundreds of assorted toys. Each child was lead by Santa’s helpers to select his or her choice of a new toy.

“When the children walked through the line to pick out their toys it was great to see such big smiles on their faces. What fun it was to see their eyes light up when they saw that special toy that they wanted,” said Carly McQuilliams from Hollywood Tans. “We adored making so many children happy and the parents were also so appreciative.  We enjoyed being there and donating the toys to the military families and making their Christmas brighter this holiday season.”

Thank you to Hollywood Tans for your true holiday spirit and for showing our military families how much we appreciate their service and how much we care.