Kids for Life is dedicated to increasing community awareness of pediatric organ donor transplantation. We are achieving this through organizing and participating in fundraising events within the greater Tampa Bay area. We actively disseminate educational information about pediatric organ transplantation and provide a support network for families and children requiring transplants. We also promote the importance of organ donation and transplantation to the public.

History

The organization was incorporated in 2000 and is recognized as non-profit. Our goal is to ensure that every needy child is able to obtain timely, relevant information about organ donor issues.

The little girl ,Olivia, who inspired us to start this organization is doing exceptionally well and the fledgling golf tournament has grown by leaps and bounds. The spirit of the original concept remains and though Olivia is lucky enough not to need our help any more, hundreds of other local children do. None of our directors take any salary and all net revenues are generously donated to the All Children's Hospital so that we can help all children that come to the Bay Area for organ transplants. As a matter of fact, Kids for Life was among the top 10 contributors to the hospital last year.

Fundraising Events

The golf tournament continues to be held in late March each year, and for the past two events, we have had to turn players away due to the maximum capacity being fulfilled. This year, however, we have relocated to a larger 36-hole course, The Walden Lakes Golf Club which should allow Kids for Life to continue to grow and provide maximum benefits to these children.

Accordingly, a large part of the success of this event has been the generosity of our corporate sponsors with contributions ranging from financial assistance to product donation. Aside from the emotional rewards of supporting Kids for Life, other sponsorship benefits include: color advertisement on our brochure, Web site, golf carts, pin hole flags and event program; regional media coverage via the Tampa Tribune, local radio networks and public television; and national television exposure via the Children's Miracle Network telethon (this annual event inlcudes the presentation of a check to All Children's Hospital).

Throughout the years, additional events have been organized to help increase fundraising efforts. In 2004, the first annual Tampa Bay Federal / Kids For Life Fishing Tournament took place at the local Bayside Marina. This event was a success and many local Tampa Bay companies generously donated their resources. We hope to continue this new event in the years to come.