Support Us Archives - Friends of Karen http://www.friendsofkaren.org/category/support-us/ Supporting critically-ill children and their families Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:42:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 https://www.friendsofkaren.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/fok-balloons-150x150.png Support Us Archives - Friends of Karen http://www.friendsofkaren.org/category/support-us/ 32 32 Feed a Family https://www.friendsofkaren.org/feed-a-family/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed-a-family Thu, 27 Apr 2023 17:35:30 +0000 https://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4707 At Friends of Karen, we know that when a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, a family’s financial resources are stretched to the brink—especially when a parent must leave work to become a full-time caregiver. With escalating grocery costs, putting food on the table is harder than ever. At the same time, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation severely compromise...

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Feed a Family

At Friends of Karen, we know that when a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, a family’s financial resources are stretched to the brink—especially when a parent must leave work to become a full-time caregiver.

With escalating grocery costs, putting food on the table is harder than ever. At the same time, treatments like chemotherapy and radiation severely compromise a child’s immune system, making safe, wholesome, and nutritious meals a medical necessity.

No parent should ever have to choose between paying for their child’s lifesaving care and feeding their family.

Friends of Karen’s Feed A Family Program provides supermarket and essential gift cards directly to families in crisis, giving them immediate relief and the dignity of choice.
How You Can Help Today

  • $200 provides a week of groceries for a family of four. (Gifts of any amount make an immediate difference!)
  • Donate Physical or e-Gift Cards: We welcome gift cards from ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Key Food, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Visa, or MasterCard. (Please include activation receipts for physical cards.)
Donate
Volunteer

Mail or drop off Gift Cards:

Westchester Office:

Friends of Karen
Attn: Virgil Dantes
118 Titicus Road, North Salem, NY 10560

Long Island Office:

Friends of Karen
Attn: Lexi Latino
150 Broadhollow Road, Suite 112, Melville, NY 11747

"There are no words that can fully express my gratitude for the kindness and generosity that Friends of Karen has shown during one of the most difficult times of my life. The financial support has lifted a burden from my shoulders and reminded me that I am not walking this journey alone."

Derek's Mom

If you have any questions, please contact: 

North Salem: Virgil Dantes, (914) 617-4054
Long Island: Lexi Latino, (631) 473-1768 ext. 903

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]]> Be a Corporate Partner https://www.friendsofkaren.org/be-a-corporate-partner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=be-a-corporate-partner Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:59:38 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4473 We are proud to have the support and confidence of our corporate partners. Their generosity strengthens our ability to be a lifeline to our families. View all These are some of the ways your business can partner with Friends of Karen: NOTE: Businesses that support Friends of Karen at a level of $5,000 and higher will have their logo and a...

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We are proud to have the support and confidence of our corporate partners. Their generosity strengthens our ability to be a lifeline to our families.

View all

These are some of the ways your business can partner with Friends of Karen:

      • Designate us as a charity for employee donations.

      • Enhance employee donations through corporate matching funds.

      • Host fundraising activities and volunteer projects in your workplace to promote team spirit. Download Info Card

      • Be a sponsor for one of our special events or host a new one that showcases your business.

      • Engage your employees to form a team for our annual “Journey of the Heart” bike tour or “Walk/Run for Friends of Karen at the L.I. Marathon or our Adina’s Angels 5K Walk, in Rockland County.”

      • Support our gift programs, including back-to-school, birthday, and holidays.

      • Provide a challenge grant to inspire others to help achieve our mission.

    NOTE: Businesses that support Friends of Karen at a level of $5,000 and higher will have their logo and a link to their corporate website listed on our Corporate Partners page.

    If you need more ideas or want more information about opportunities, email Fund Development Director, Leslie Bellissimo or call her at (631) 473-1768 ext. 904.

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    ]]>         Donate Your Vehicle https://www.friendsofkaren.org/donate-your-vehicle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=donate-your-vehicle Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:58:48 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4471 Donating your car, truck, boat or any other vehicle is a great way to support Friends of Karen and may qualify you for a tax deduction. To get started, complete our simple donation form or call Vehicles For Charity at (866) 628-2277. They will pick up your vehicle and provide you with a receipt for tax purposes, all at no charge to

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    ]]>     Donating your car, truck, boat or any other vehicle is a great way to support Friends of Karen and may qualify you for a tax deduction. To get started, complete our simple donation form or call Vehicles For Charity at (866) 628-2277. They will pick up your vehicle and provide you with a receipt for tax purposes, all at no charge to you.

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    ]]>         Donate Gifts in Kind https://www.friendsofkaren.org/donate-gifts-in-kind/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=donate-gifts-in-kind Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:57:09 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4462 Non-monetary (in-kind) donations provide critical relief to our families—supplying essential food, clothing, transportation, and special moments of joy like back-to-school supplies and birthday celebrations. By donating items directly, you help us maximize our funding toward vital everyday living expenses, medical bills, and specialized family support services. Key Guidelines at a Glance To protect the health, safety, and dignity of the

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    Non-monetary (in-kind) donations provide critical relief to our families—supplying essential food, clothing, transportation, and special moments of joy like back-to-school supplies and birthday celebrations.

    By donating items directly, you help us maximize our funding toward vital everyday living expenses, medical bills, and specialized family support services.

    Key Guidelines at a Glance

    To protect the health, safety, and dignity of the critically ill children and families we serve, Friends of Karen maintains specific guidelines for in-kind gifts:

    • 100% New Items Only: Because many of our children have severely compromised immune systems, we can only accept brand-new, unused items in original packaging with tags attached. We cannot accept used clothing, toys, books, or medical equipment.
    • Gift Card Denomination Preference: While gifts of any size are deeply appreciated, we kindly request gift cards of $25 or more. Managing multiple small-value cards at checkout can be overwhelming for a parent caring for a sick child. Higher denominations allow parents to shop with ease and dignity.
    • Wish List Alignment: To meet immediate family needs, we only accept items on our official wish list. Please review our current needs before coordinating a physical donation.
    • Safety & Quality: All items must meet current safety standards and cannot be expired, recalled, or damaged.
    • Drop-Off Logistics: Due to limited storage space, please coordinate large physical deliveries with our team in advance (Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM):
    • Online Orders: When ordering online, please ship items directly to our North Salem Office at Friends of Karen, Attn: In-Kind Donations, 118 Titicus Road, North Salem, NY 10560
    • Tax Receipts: Friends of Karen provides a written tax acknowledgment for all accepted in-kind gifts. Per IRS regulations, donors determine the fair market value of donated items for tax purposes
    View Our Full Gift Acceptance Policy

    High-Need Gift Cards

    Gift Cards empower parents with the flexibility to buy exactly what their family needs, when they need it most.

    Below is a listing of various gift cards by category. Click on each category to see our accepted retailers and cards.

    ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Walmart, Target, Visa, MasterCard

    Amazon, Target, Walmart, Ulta, Sephora, Old Navy, Gap, Macy’s, Staples, Visa, MasterCard

    Dunkin’, Starbucks, Panera, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Wendy’s, Uber Eats, Grub Hub

    OMNY, Uber, or Lyft (Helps parents travel to treatments and hospital visits)

    How to send Gift Cards

    Please include activation receipts with physical cards and mail to:

    Friends of Karen
    Attn: In-Kind Donations
    118 Titicus Road, North Salem, NY 10560
    (914) 617-4054

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    ]]>         Donate a Gift Stock https://www.friendsofkaren.org/donate-a-gift-stock/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=donate-a-gift-stock Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:56:28 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4460 The gift of an appreciated asset is a powerful way to support our families. If your investments have increased in value since you acquired them, a gift can result in a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities, and you may avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciated stock. Your financial planner or tax

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    ]]>     The gift of an appreciated asset is a powerful way to support our families. If your investments have increased in value since you acquired them, a gift can result in a charitable income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the securities, and you may avoid capital gains taxes on the appreciated stock. Your financial planner or tax advisor can answer your questions about this kind of gift.

    You may download our Stock Transfer Form for information. Please contact Leslie Bellissimo or call (631) 473-1768 ext. 904 for further assistance.

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    ]]>         Workplace Giving and Matching Gifts https://www.friendsofkaren.org/workplace-giving-and-matching-gifts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=workplace-giving-and-matching-gifts Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:55:43 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4458 These programs offer you the convenience of automatic payroll deductions without losing the tax benefits of charitable giving. Some companies match their employee’s contribution, increasing the impact of your gift. Your company may have a special form to include with your contribution. Check with your Human Resources Department about workplace giving and matching gift program. If your employer’s program does

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    ]]>     These programs offer you the convenience of automatic payroll deductions without losing the tax benefits of charitable giving. Some companies match their employee’s contribution, increasing the impact of your gift. Your company may have a special form to include with your contribution.

    Check with your Human Resources Department about workplace giving and matching gift program. If your employer’s program does not include Friends of Karen, please email  Leslie Bellissimo at lesliebellissimo@friendsofkaren.org or call (631) 473-1768 ext. 904.

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    ]]>         Leave a Legacy https://www.friendsofkaren.org/leave-a-legacy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=leave-a-legacy Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:52:59 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4449 Begin your legacy with us. Your legacy plan starts, first, with your loved ones and then reflects what else is important to you that you want to continue long into the future. Wise planning for family, friends and charities, like Friends of Karen, that are important to you, allows you to ensure your assets will be used according to your

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    Begin your legacy with us.

    Your legacy plan starts, first, with your loved ones and then reflects what else is important to you that you want to continue long into the future. Wise planning for family, friends and charities, like Friends of Karen, that are important to you, allows you to ensure your assets will be used according to your wishes and that your values will be expressed in your plans.

    For a long time, I knew that I was going to leave part of my estate to various meaningful local charities. When it comes to Friends of Karen, knowing that anything I leave behind is going to help multiple families during unimaginable times made the decision very easy.
    – Michael Bauer


    You can join Michael and leave Friends of Karen in your will or trust. Simply use this sample bequest language to bring to your professional advisor to be written into your will as part of your legacy planning. “I give, devise, and bequeath ________________ (a certain sum, a percentage of the estate, or the remainder of the estate) to Friends of Karen [Tax ID #14-1612290].”

    There are many other ways you can fulfill your philanthropic and financial goals.

    • With Gifts of Appreciated Stocks and Investments, you can reduce or possibly eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer, and you may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction.
    Donate a Gift Stock
    • A Donor-Advised Fund is like a philanthropic savings account. It gives you the flexibility to determine how much and how often money is donated to Friends of Karen.
    • Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from a Retirement Account can be transferred from your IRA directly to Friends of Karen (up to $100,000 annually). If you are over 70½ years of age, you may make a gift from your IRA as a tax-free distribution.
    • Name Friends of Karen as a beneficiary – some prefer the increased flexibility that a beneficiary designation provides. It is very simple to name Friends of Karen as a beneficiary. Start by requesting a change-of-beneficiary form from your policy administrator.
    • IRAs and retirement plans
    • Life insurance policies
    • Donor advised funds
    • Bank or brokerage accounts

    If you have already included Friends of Karen in your estate plan, please let us know. We would like to thank you and welcome you into the Sheila Petersen Legacy of Giving Circle. By letting us know, we can ensure that we fulfill your gift exactly as you intended.

    Please contact Leslie Bellissimo, (631) 473-1768 ext. 904.

    Always consult with your attorney or financial planner about the best way to create your legacy gift.

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    ]]>         Become a Monthly Guardian of Hope https://www.friendsofkaren.org/become-a-monthly-guardian-of-hope/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=become-a-monthly-guardian-of-hope Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:50:07 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4446 By contributing a predetermined amount each month, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are providing the on-going vital support that our families need. Your donation will be charged to your credit card each month. If for any reason you wish to increase, decrease or suspend your gift, just let us know. Click here to become a Monthly Guardian

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    Guardian of Hope

    By contributing a predetermined amount each month, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are providing the on-going vital support that our families need. Your donation will be charged to your credit card each month. If for any reason you wish to increase, decrease or suspend your gift, just let us know.

    Click here to become a Monthly Guardian of Hope, or call Leslie Bellissimo at (631) 473-1768 ext. 904 or lesliebellissimo@friendsofkaren.org to enroll and set up a monthly gift from your checking account or credit card.

    Donate

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    ]]>         Give a Tribute/Memorial Gift https://www.friendsofkaren.org/give-a-tribute-memorial-gift/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=give-a-tribute-memorial-gift Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:37:47 +0000 http://www.friendsofkaren.org/fokdev2022/?p=4440 Celebrate a birth, marriage, anniversary, graduation, holiday or any other milestone by making a tribute gift. Remember a loved one or express your sympathy with a memorial gift. We will send a letter acknowledging your gift with your special message to the person(s) you designate. The amount of your gift will not be disclosed to them. Donate

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    Celebrate a birth, marriage, anniversary, graduation, holiday or any other milestone by making a tribute gift. Remember a loved one or express your sympathy with a memorial gift.

    We will send a letter acknowledging your gift with your special message to the person(s) you designate. The amount of your gift will not be disclosed to them.

    Donate

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