Teach philanthropy at local kid-focused fundraiser
BOARD MEMBER Jack White hopes to raise money for HoldYou Foundation by getting the kids involved.
Windsor Square resident Jack White is on a mission to help families who have a child facing a critical illness or injury — but he needs help from families in the neighborhood.
The HoldYou Foundation is hosting a kid-focused fundraiser at Art Works Studios (606 N. Larchmont Blvd.) on Nov. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. Kids over the age of two are invited to participate in an afternoon of art, food and philanthropy.
“It’s not just your typical fundraiser. This is an art party event for kids to help kids,” says White. “It’s a chance to teach your children about philanthropy while at the same time creating art that will be used in future projects for sick children at local hospitals.”
A long-time resident, White has lived in the neighborhood with his husband, entertainment attorney, Rebel Steiner, for over two decades in homes on Beachwood, Irving and now Norton Dr.
Last year, White was tapped to join the board of directors of a new organization set up to financially assist families with children in medical crisis. Founded in 2015 by Natalie Hill, HoldYou Foundation has already provided support to 22 Southern California families with nowhere else to turn.
“After experiencing a traumatic situation in her own family, Natalie recognized there weren’t a lot of places for parents to go for help when such situations arise. That’s the goal of HoldYou: to hold families during a life-changing diagnosis or injury,” says White.
The organization, he explains, provides funding for things like mortgage and vehicle payments, food and gas: “All of those things not covered by medical insurance.”
HoldYou is unique, according to White, in that when a social worker contacts the organization in regards to a desperate family, “we can fund their requests within 24 hours of being accepted.”
Recipients are identified by social workers from four local medical centers including: California Hospital, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Mattel Children’s Hospital and Northridge Hospital.
To fulfill its mission, HoldYou is entirely reliant on the generosity of the community. White says over the past year, the organization has successfully raised funds through events like an art auction and a soul cycle charity ride. But there’s work still to be done: “the more money we raise, the more families we can help.”
For more information, visit holdyou.org/events/
Category: People
