Our Story

The For a Day Foundation (FADF) is a national 501(c)(3) organization aiming to provide memorable and emotionally therapeutic experiences for seriously ill children, ages 1 to 21 years, through positive attention, artistic expression, and self-confidence building activities.

 

We are committed to creating emotionally therapeutic experiences for seriously ill childrenand providing them and their families with a joyful and much needed diversion from the strain of chronic treatment. Hosting Queen for a Day, Hero for a Day, and Designer for a Day events, we use role models, make believe, and play therapy to give each child the opportunity to imagine and live out a fantasy while experiencing a moment of the childhood they all deserve.

FADF hosts 20 local chapters throughout the US and a partnership with Reach for a Dream, a wish-granting organization in South Africa. In June, we will turn 11 years old! Since 2000, we have helped over 5,000 kids and will reach over 1,000 this year alone.

See the founder's story here:
http://bit.ly/dSSaf6

The Impact

Who wouldn't want help fighting for their life? The lower their stress, the better a child's body can accept their medical treatment. You can help them fight cancer! With programs like FADF, play is used as therapy to distract and ease the anxiety and tension of hospitalization. 

Queen for a Day was recently requested for a terminal 6 year old. Despite her non-verbal and non-ambulatory condition, Jacqueline eagerly reacted to the nail polish and tiaras in her wheelchair. Responding with only inarticulate grunts, Jacqueline let us know how excited she was about her crowns as she tried on several styles and approved of them all in the mirror. FADF utilized its contacts and secured the appearance of Miss Universe, providing a truly memorable experience for Jacqueline and a few final special moments with her mother.

From being tired and shy, to dancing and sharing their new make-over with anyone in sight, children revel in the joy of their youth. We've seen impromptu parades of little queens up and down the hospital halls, IV poles trailing behind, and tiny heroes running just to feel the flap of their cape. We've had lipstick marks on our cheeks from the exuberance of wearing bright pink lipstick. These moments are priceless. This is what you provide.

What We Need & What You Get

Usually, we're making the kids something "for a day," but this time you can be "Producer for a Day." No, it's not related to the film industry, but you can produce the groundwork for our programs that create memories and experiences. We need $6,000 for 3 months of expenses. This covers all programs (Queen/Hero/Designer) for all chapters throughout the US. We purchase tiaras, feather boas, make-up, nail polish, superhero capes, masks, firefighter hats and toys. We also produce high fashion photo shoots and fashion shows for kids and teens in remission to relish in the life they fought for.

Each donor is listed on our website as a Producer for a Day and donors giving over $250 will receive the founder's infamous Shar-Pei chocolate chip cookies (the best cookies you will ever have in your life. References can be supplied to support this claim!). Cookies can be sent to someone else on your behalf as a gift, thank you, or thinking of you. We also have incentives including our favorite recipes and kids' fashion designs made exclusively for The For a Day Foundation by Vivienne Pash. We only have 10 outfits and they are all different, so get on it quick! All gifts are tax-deductible. 

Even if we don't reach our campaign goal (gasp!), it's OK....I guess ::plays with foot in dirt:: we'll figure something out. All kidding aside, it's not really like that! Our programs will continue with whatever funding we receive. We may have to scale back on the quality for the short-term, but we are also pursuing other campaigns, grants, and donations to fund our programs into 2012. Excess funds will be rolled into the next quarter's budget.

Other Ways You Can Help

Forwarding this campaign to people you know that like to make a difference would greatly help our kids. Forward even just to say "hey, look at this cool program!" Beyond being a Producer for a Day, check our website for a local chapter near you and see how you can get involved with that area. No chapter? Look into starting one (www.foradayfoundation.org) or start a campaign to start one (right here on Indiegogo!). Either way, we're very open to new ways you can be involved, so contact us and give us your idea!