FEBRUARY 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL NEWS

Our end-of-the-year financial reports indicate that in 2024 we raised $1.18 million, the vast majority of that from individuals. We provided financial assistance to 10,407 children across the country, which is our all-time record for one year!  In the month of January, we have already provided assistance to 994 children.

In past years we provided assistance to children who were affected by the Paradise Fires in CA and the deadly tornadoes in KY. While we do not have the resources to respond to every natural disaster, because of the generosity of our donors we are considering bringing our special form of assistance to the Los Angeles area. 

Of course, we will always respond to requests for help in that region but our board is discussing a larger, strategic effort to help kids who are returning to nothing - and the idea would be to go in after all of the charities have left as we do not want to "get in the way" of other relief efforts.  Indeed, if you live in the affected area and would like to help us with logistics, please email us at contact@aliceskids.org.

We are excited to announce that we now have a "counter" on our homepage (www.aliceskids.org). As you will see, it's a "live" accounting of how many children we are helping through the year. The counter will be updated mid-month and at the end of the month.  

The Nelly Custis Chapter of the DAR presents donation to Alice's Kids

FEATURED BOARD MEMBER - KAY CASSTEVENS

Ms. Kay Casstevens' public service career in Washington D.C. spanned several decades. Before retiring, she spent ten years as the deputy chief development officer at the National Gallery of Art. Prior to that, she worked in both the legislative and executive branches of the federal government.

During the Clinton Administration, Ms. Casstevens was appointed assistant secretary of education. She later served as deputy director of White House legislative affairs and deputy assistant to the President, and as Vice President Al Gore's Director of Legislative Affairs. On Capitol Hill, she served as chief of staff to Congressman (now Senator) Chris Van Hollen and also to Senator Tom Harkin. Earlier, she worked on the policy staffs of Congressman John Seiberling and Senator George McGovern.

Ms. Casstevens has a law degree from the George Washington University Law School, and she received a bachelor of journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been active in the DC area community theater as a choreographer and performer in local productions, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company. She also teaches tap dance classes.

A SPECIAL CHILD

"Recall a student in our school was being bullied because she wore a hijab, and then a student ripped it off of her head. Alice's Kids was kind enough to pay for a new one, and she is now back in school and has even joined a new club!  Thank you so much for lifting this child at a very difficult time."