Swinging into Summer: Kidzz Helping Kidzz Annual Planning Meeting Hits a Home Run

As backpacks were zipped up for the last time and the school year came to a close, the youth of our Kidzz Helping Kidzz Advisory Board, a dedicated youth organization, gathered for our much-anticipated Annual Planning Meeting.

But this wasn’t just any planning session — we were joined by some true MVPs from the West Sound Baseball team and their head coach, Jeff Murray. Earlier this season, Coach Jeff approached us with a pitch (pun fully intended) that we couldn’t refuse.

He proposed a meaningful — and slightly bruising — way to turn getting hit by a baseball into something good.For every batter hit by a pitch during the season, the team would donate $5 to Kidzz Helping Kidzz. 

Photo: West Sound Seawolves Baseball Club (Facebook)

Now, before you worry about player safety — don't! These athletes are as tough as they come, and they turned each bruise into a badge of honor for a good cause. We tracked the “hit-by-pitch” tally throughout the season, and when we finally gathered at our planning meeting, we celebrated the real home run: their generosity.

Photo: West Sound Seawolves Baseball Club (Facebook)

Enter Jack Warner, West Sound Baseball’s top “impact” player — literally. Jack took 14 hits for the team, raising money with each one and proving that a strong heart can make an even stronger player. With grit, spirit, and a lot of ice packs, Jack reminded us what it means to stand up, show up, and give back — even when it stings. Way to take one (or fourteen) for the baseball team, Jack! 

Our Executive Director, Beth Friedman Darner, presented Jack with a certificate of appreciation and a photo op with Coach Murray and Charlie Cure, another standout player who came to support him. This community partnership with West Sound Baseball brought energy, laughs, and a whole lot of inspiration to our planning kickoff. We’re incredibly grateful for their season donation of $270 — a meaningful gift that turns every pitch into a powerful act of kindness for kids in need.

Mission, Values, and a Bear Named… Nova?

Thanks to a capacity-building grant from the Bainbridge Community Foundation, we were able to bring in a consultant to help us diversity our funding streams and welcome new youth to our growing movement. This wasn’t your typical business meeting. Instead of spreadsheets and pie charts, our youth got creative — diving into a full day of guided exercises to explore personal values and define what really drives Kidzz Helping Kidzz. (Spoiler alert: kindness and compassion topped the list — but snacks were a close second.) 

With the support of our consultant, Stephanie George, the Advisory Board proudly identified teamwork, community engagement, and joy as the top three values that fuel our mission. These guiding principles are what keep our charity work grounded and our hearts full.

After defining our values, the group shifted gears to begin crafting our annual appeal letter. But before putting pen to paper, we had to answer one very important question: What kind of character best represents Kidzz Helping Kidzz? 

The vote came down to two finalists: a teddy bear (fuzzy, huggable, universally adored) and a robot (cool, futuristic, and possibly programmed for kindness). The brainstorming was fierce — crayons and pencils were flying — as kids sketched out their visions. 

As for names? The top contenders were “Noah” and “Zach ” — heartfelt nods to our founding story and original youth leaders. But a fresh and unexpected favorite emerged: “Nova” — a name that not only echoed “Noah” in sound, but also symbolized a bright star and new beginning, capturing the forward-thinking spirit of our youth-led mission.

What will our new mascot look like? What will it be named? The suspense is real. Keep an eye on your inbox — we’ll reveal the winning design and name when we send out our appeal in early December.

Christmas in July? Yes, Please!

For the second year in a row, the South Sound Church of Christ selected Kidzz Helping Kidzz, a nonprofit organization, as the recipient of their Christmas in July Toy Drive — and we couldn’t be more honored. 

But this year, they took it a step further and invited our Advisory Board to present during their Sunday service. The kids, dressed in their signature blue KHK shirts, showed up with confidence, heart, and their best smiles. They delivered a heartfelt presentation, shared stories of impact, and premiered our latest Advisory Board video. 

The congregation responded with a standing ovation — a moment our youth will never forget. It was a powerful reminder that when young people lead with purpose, entire communities respond with love. 

We are deeply grateful to the South Sound Church of Christ for their continued community partnership and support. Their generosity fuels our fundraising and keeps the spirit of giving alive — even in the middle of summer.

Stay Tuned… More Kidzz Helping Kidzz to Come!

Whether it’s taking hits on the baseball field, designing our next mascot, or speaking at community events, our youth continue to rise to the occasion. This summer is already shaping up to be one of our most impactful yet — and we’re just getting started. 

Thank you for being part of the Kidzz Helping Kidzz family. Together, we’re not only inspiring kindness — we’re creating real impact.

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