JANUARY | 2026

2025: THE YEAR IN REVIEW

2025 was an extraordinary year, achieved through the generosity of our supporters and the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers.

REACHING MORE CHILDREN EVERY YEAR

In 2025, we provided direct, anonymous financial assistance to 14,232 children, which reflects an approximately 37% increase over 2024! And this year, our budget calls for spending a record $1 million on kids across the country.

To handle the increased work, we now have two full-time and four part-time staffers, but our overhead remains low. Indeed, we're honored to have received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator.

Meanwhile, our hard-working Board of Directors oversees the entire operation, including adopting our annual budget and fundraising. We have a dedicated team of volunteers who electronically send out gift cards to the teachers and social workers - often within 24 hours of approval! Afterwards, we have our impact squad who follow up with the requesters to ascertain the effect our assistance has had on the child. You can read some of their stories here!

PROM TICKETS FOR FIRE VICTIMS

A month after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, CA, I received a request to pay for a child’s prom ticket whose home had burned to the ground. I immediately approved the wish, but it made me think about the other students who suffered the same fate. After many calls, I decided to pay for the prom tickets of every senior in the area – a total of six schools and more than 800 kids. This action was a little outside our normal one-kid-at-a-time request process, but I felt it was the right thing to do.

Somewhere during our conversations, I learned that actor Steve Carell, who played Michael Scott in “The Office,” was rather popular with high school seniors, as many of them had gotten hooked on the show during COVID. Steve and his wife, Nancy, have been big supporters of Alice’s Kids, so I asked if Steve would produce a short video announcing our decision. It ran during senior assemblies, and the reactions were priceless! Steve’s announcement went viral, and the kids were ecstatic! This video captures the kid’s reaction to the big news.

Ultimately, my wife, Meg, and I were invited to attend two of the proms. We took them up on their offer, and it was an amazing experience.

(Photo Credit: Patrick Fitzsimmons)

This incredible effort demonstrated how Alice’s Kids can react quickly to extraordinary circumstances. To be sure, I will continue to approve requests one child at a time, but because I am not overburdened with bureaucracy, I stand ready to help in similar cases in the future.

To see more news stories or pictures about the Altadena experience, click here.

ATTRACTING MORE ATTENTION

In addition to the publicity we received from our Altadena project, we received favorable attention in many ways:

On September 25, the Fairfax County (VA) School Board unanimously passed a resolution commending our work. To see the award presentation, click here.

We had a lot of fun with movie star Kevin Bacon on his podcast earlier in the year. This clip shows Executive Director Ron Fitzsimmons, along with comedian (supporter) Patton Oswalt, talking to Kevin about our work.

Speaking of celebrities, we recently got the support of Stephanie Courtney, otherwise known as “Flo” in the Progressive Insurance ads.

Over the year, we got positive coverage in the media, including this article from the Times Leader in Pennsylvania just a few weeks ago!

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: SMILES OF THE YEAR

"Last year, I received support to buy a guitar for one of our students who was facing the challenge of a new school, and living with her sister after losing her Mother. She was very discouraged, and when she told me she was very interested in art and music and that she dreamed of one day being a singer, playing her compositions on the guitar, I could only think of the impact having an instrument could have on her life, something that was impossible for her given her circumstances.

With your help, we were able to acquire a guitar. I wish I could have recorded her reaction when she received it. That day, she promised herself that she was going to be the best. Something that has caused a great impact on us is her change in attitude and motivation; as if she had finally started to believe in herself. She gained so much confidence that she joined the theatre team in addition to being part of the guitar class.

Lastly, I want to tell you that the first support I received from you was a soccer uniform for a student on the wrong track, but desperately wanting to play soccer. He now dedicates himself to sports and his studies. He has made a 180-degree change - it brings a lot of joy to see everything he has achieved!

I am very grateful for the work and support that your organization gives us. In my role as family liaison, I have learned that our children not only need food and clothing but to show them that we believe in them – it is often the impetus they need to break all limits and fulfill their dreams. Without your help and support, stories like these would not be possible."

Carolina F., Family Liaison, at a Virginia High School

Alice's Kids is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the self-esteem of children in need by providing them with targeted individual assistance to facilitate their participation in scholastic, recreational and social activities.