KMF Update

In the last few months, The Katie Memorial Foundation (KMF) has made much progress on many fronts, as we pursue our mission, “to create and support educational and service opportunities in the international field of public health.” I'm excited about the work we're doing, and the direction in which we are headed, with some new things--and many specific details--coming together as we look ahead to the late summer. So, I wanted to post on the blog a general update. Here goes!

1. The 2008 KMF Fun Run will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 9am, in the Sun Lake Forest Preserve in Lake Villa, IL. The 5K event will feature a running event, a walking event, a kids run event, and some KMF-related post-race activities. Participants will receive a race packet and KMF t-shirt. Cost is $20 for the 5K Run, and $10 for the Kids Run event. Online pre-registration for the event, at the KMF website will begin September 1, 2008. We are hoping to solicit volunteers to work the event, so send us an email if you'd like to help out!

2. This fall, the KMF Small Grants Project will award several grants (max. $350 each), to elementary, middle, and high school teachers who develop classroom curriculum related to the international field of public health and/or the field of human service. The application packet will be available online at the KMF website beginning August 15th. I'd be happy to send out individual copies of the packet, so please send us an email if you'd like to see it earlier.

3. The KMF Crafting Project is now online, via Etsy, selling the crafts and artwork (bags, jewelry, cards, prints, general artwork) of independent artists to benefit KMF. Feel free to pass along the website to friends, family, strangers, etc.

4. We’ve redesigned our website, to include new features (including a photos section) and expanded KMF-related content (KMF Small Grants, KMF 5K Run/Walk, The Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship, a Shout-Outs page).

5. KMF has been very lucky to benefit from the time and expertise of talented professionals, whose volunteered time and excellent work has greatly accelerated our learning curve, while helping us clear no small number of legal and logistical hurdles. If you get a chance, please check out our KMF Shout-Outs page, acknowledging some of these great individuals!

6. During the 2008-2009 school year, KMF will again award the Katie Evans Memorial Scholarship at the Stempel School of Public Health at Florida International University, Katie’s alma mater, to benefit a public health graduate student doing post-graduation work in the international field of public health.

KMF has been so excited to see such a positive response to our initial public appeal for support. After learning more about our initial program of activities, mission and vision, and Katie’s life and work, please consider supporting our work by making a donation.

Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions, concerns, etc., about KMF. We look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your continuing support and encouragement!