ACTS OF KINDNESS GO A LONG WAY
Ronald McDonald House Pasadena | Photo Doug Forbes
We launched the Roxie Acts of Kindness campaign as an homage to our girl who was always giving, always compassionate, always kind… and very funny too. Not only do we give as a foundation, Elena and I personally give to other organizations, because doing so makes our communities stronger. And it feels damn good too!
Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 11 | Photo Forbes
Each holiday season, we make special food and goodie deliveries to first responders who have to answer calls like the one they answered for Roxie. Firefighters told us the circumstances and visions of Roxie’s death deeply affected them and their families.
We, as a family, donated to the Ronald McDonald House which provides a community supported "home away from home" for families coming into Pasadena to seek advanced medical treatment for their critically or terminally ill children. We delivered a nice big box of toys, Meow Meow dolls and other goodies. This is where Roxie and her Daisy troop volunteered.
Elizabeth House Pasadena | Photo provided
We also supported Elizabeth House for at-risk moms and children. We delivered a similar care package but added mega-boxes of diapers and wipes. We had the pleasure of meeting Melida Williams, speaking with Director of Programs Terry Bright by phone and hearing from Executive Director Debbie Unruh — remarkable women with an equally remarkable mission.
Meow Meow Foundation worked with the Michael Phelps Foundation to donate 50 super-cool swim lesson/water safety/mental wellness packages for children of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pasadena. We plan to continue aligning with the Phelps Foundation so we can support other Boys and Girls Clubs aquatics programs.
And speaking of donating lessons, the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is also a recipient of our giving as we have donated swim lessons to children from all walks of life.
Meow Meow Foundation’s lovable SuperMeow donates life jackets and works with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to fit them on children
The foundation also gave free life jackets to awesome inner city Los Angeles families where children have access to wonderful public pools. We worked with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles not only for the donation but also an in-person life jacket fitting and education session.
Finally, MMF will give a significant amount of time to working with public schools. Educating parents, students and teachers about health and safety practices in aquatics and summer camps environments is a critical step toward eliminating preventable harm to children.