K.I.D.S. Responds to Natural Disasters Across the Country

Posted by Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S) - 5/23/11

~ Donates Over $700,000 of New Product to Southeast Tornado Victims
~ Children’s Charity Calls for Additional Support to Help Thousands Still in Need

New York, NY – May 23, 2011 – As part of its ongoing disaster relief efforts, Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), the internationally renowned children’s charity, today announced that it has donated approximately $710,000 worth of new products to help families affected by the devastating tornadoes in the South. With thousands of people left injured and homeless, K.I.D.S. is calling on retailers and manufacturers to help support its continued relief efforts.

K.I.D.S. is sending new clothes, shoes, blankets, toys and baby items to its partner agencies in the hardest hit communities including Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina, where they will be distributed to those in need. To donate new products, please contact Donna Charles at K.I.D.S. at 212-279-5493, ext 205.

“Our goal is to help give these families a hand as they start to rebuild their homes and their lives,” said Dr. Janice Weinman, President of K.I.D.S. “The devastation associated with these tornadoes will have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected. We are extremely grateful for the tremendous support of our partners as the donation of new products fills a critical need for these families,” added Kevin Burke, Chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors.

For more than 25 years, K.I.D.S. has been at the forefront of responding to major natural disasters, acting quickly and directly to distribute much-needed products to suffering children and families. Such was the case after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, where K.I.D.S. rallied the childrenswear, shoe, juvenile product, apparel and toy industries to provide over $12 million of product for approximately 40,000 Gulf Coast flood victims. While K.I.D.S. distributes new merchandise year round to help children and families living in poverty, it draws heavily on the generosity and concern of retailers, manufacturers and licensors whenever a major disaster occurs.

ABOUT K.I.D.S.

Celebrating 25 years in service, K.I.D.S. has provided over 65 million underprivileged and disaster-struck children with close to one billion dollars of NEW clothing, toys, basic necessities, juvenile products, books and much more. The donations of new products are distributed through an established network of nearly 1,000 local community social service agencies in the U.S. and abroad. K.I.D.S.’ efforts reach youth, age 0-18, who are challenged by poverty, homelessness, domestic abuse, low literacy, military family service, major illness, incarcerated family members and disaster survival. More information about donating new products and supporting our work is available online at www.KIDSdonations.org.