Tonight, 3 people representing parents and staff at Kids For Kids Academy and 3 teachers from Varela High got together to brainstorm how Madison's School Family and her mom Susie's school family could team together to make miracles happen.

These 6 individuals agreed that MIRACLES FOR MADISON would be the name of the efforts to take place. During this planning meeting we discussed everything from auctions to walk-a-thons.

Immediate actions to be taken:

• Order tags to put on "Dolly's For Madison" (to be donated by R & L Printing)
• Varela students will continue to make dolls afterschool and sell as a non-school function. Find out about selling at Publix
• Explore options of using the track at Varela Senior for a walkathon in February
• Ask R & L Printing to donate thank you post cards, flyers, and sign to distribute to the community
• Movie Screening for Guardians kids movie (Kids For Kids Academy Family Day at the Movies) sell tickets for a $5 donation
• Agree that *Kids 4 Kids Inc would act as a fiscal agent for the cause. Kids For Kids Academy will absorb the 1.5% fee and $0.40 per transaction for the use of Pay Pal so that 100% of the donations go to the family. www.kids4kids.org
• Continue to share the website link for Madison to friends and family and encourage individuals to link it to their Facebook accounts

It was decided that the group; MIRACLES FOR MADISON will meet twice a month and would like to invite anyone interested in participating in the planning and implementing of efforts on behalf of Madison to join in.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, September 30th at 7:00 pm at Kids For Kids Academy located at 14465 Country Walk Drive, Miami, FL 33186. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with you name and phone number to Johanna Guma-Aguiar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Those in attendance:

Nicole Blanco, Mary Kay Rep and Parent of a child at Kids For Kids Academy

Beth Davis, Owner Kids For Kids Academy, Founder Kids 4 Kids

Jennifer Gambali, Teacher, Felix Varela Senior High

Johanna Guma-Aguiar, Consultant, and Parent of a child at Kids For Kids Academy

Daniel Vinat, Teacher, Felix Varela Senior High

Madeline Vinat, Teacher

*Kids 4 Kids Inc, (www.kids4kids.org) was founded in 1996 as a way for kids to learn that, by their acts of kindness, they can make a difference in the lives of others. The kids in that club responded to hurricanes, sick children, the needs of foster kids and homeless kids, and helped families in need. Each time they were called into action, they felt good knowing that they helped someone else. Kids of any age are invited to participate. Since 1996, the 501c3 with the help of thousands of youth volunteers have donated 75,000 backpacks and 90,000 new books to kids who needed them. The charity has no paid staff and is run solely by volunteers.

Wow!! What a great turn out we had for our first meeting.  In all 14 individuals came to develop a plan for fundraising.  Participants also had the chance to sign up for committee positions. (You can read the minutes of the meeting and see the committees by clicking on the attachment which will be posted this weekend).

The Miracles For Madison Committee came up with the following goals and ideas:

Our Goal is to raise $200,000 so that Susie and Chris can spent the next two years caring for both their children without the worry of financial obligations. 

The committee currently has $15,000 raised plus $2,000 that has already been given to the family.  We are currently at 8.5% to our goal! The committee decided that once the Schafer Family Account becomes a guardianship trust, Kids 4 Kids who is acting as a fiscal agent would write the check to the trust so that the family can use it as needed.   After that, each time donations reach in $1,000 increments, monies will be transferred from Kids 4 Kids to the trust.  We hope this will be weekly!

Fundraising Activities Planned:

• Heat Tickets:  Sell the 8 donated Miami Heat tickets now, since the games are in October and November
• Raffle:  Use all other donated items for the Miracles For Madison Raffle.  Tickets will be $5 each or a book of 5 for $20.  Website visitors can also purchase tickets on Pay Pal by putting the word RAFFLE TICKETS in the code line and ticket will be mailed.
• Walk-a-thon:  Please join on Saturday, January 15th as celebrate Madison's 2nd Birthday!  The Walk-a-thon/Birthday Party will be held at Felix Varela Senior High.  Participants of all ages will be able to download sponsor sheets soon from the website and collect donations.  Anyone who has collected at least $20 in donation can participate.  The individual who raises the most money will receive the grand prize of an I PAD.  The committee is looking for a company that can donate one. The committee will be looking for a company to donate T-Shirts to be given to all participants.  It will be a day of family fun for walkers and non-walkers.  Non-walkers can make a $5 donation and take part in the following FREE activities:  Fun Bus, petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, tattoo booths and much more.  We will be seeking vendors and caterers to donate food to be sold at the event. 

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 13th at 7:00 at Kids For Kids Academy, 14465 Country Walk Drive.  Light dinner will be provided.