Kids Playing for Kids
In the course of day to day business, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that we are fortunate to enjoy the lives we have, and that we are surrounded by so many exemplary individuals. One such individual is Jan Tavrytzky, an F/O on the MD-11. Jan came to FedEx in Feb 1996, he was initially a B727 S/O and check airman, and has been a Memphis based MD11 F/O since. Prior to coming to FedEx, Jan served in the US Air Force, graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1986 where he played football. As you will see, sports have continued to play a major role in his life. Jan has had a distinguished career, serving in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. He brought the "Fighter Pilot for a Day" program to his Air National Guard squadron, allowing chronically and terminally ill children to come to the base, where they were given a callsign, wings, and flight suit. During the day they were allowed to jump in a jet, and a simulator, and generally received the VIP treatment.
In Jan’s own words, ” I enjoyed playing sports, specifically football, being able to play at the Air Force Academy. The things I learned on the field have been very helpful in becoming a successful person and pilot. I have been coaching soccer for my twin boys, Tyler & Tanner, since they were 3 years old. As I've coached them in soccer and football over the years, we have enjoyed success on the field including many Championship teams. I wanted to teach the kids something more than just being successful on the field. I really wanted to teach them the things that I had learned over the years. I believed success off the field was based on building their chartacter, and their character would make them successful in whatever they chose to be in the future. Consequently, the idea to start our Kids Playing For Kids Foundation http://www.kidsplayingforkids.org/ came into being”. Jan says ” How can I be a better Coach and how can I teach the kids that there is a bigger picture and they can make a difference in it”. Jan decided to contact Phoenix Children’s Hospital to see if his soccer team could “adopt’ a chronically ill child. That was the realization of an idea that is continuing to grow.
Kids Playing For Kids aspires to enable those who are dedicated, not only to building their skills on the field, but building their character, by providing friendship, joy and hope for children with life threatening medical conditions. They provide the infrastructure to adopt a child as part of a sports team of their choice. They surround the child with a team of kids of their age and gender, who will hopefully help them overcome their particular challenges. Minimally, they will be the recipient of a special gift from the Team children. By putting the needs of their adopted teammate before their own, they will learn the importance of service before self. These kids will gain confidence by realizing that they can raise the money, spend the time, share their heart, and ultimately accomplish something “bigger than themselves.” By reaching out, identifying, and understanding their adopted teammate’s feelings and difficulties, they will learn the importance of having empathy for others. By working to accomplish the same goals, the children will learn that great things can happen when all are working together, teaching the importance of teamwork. All money donated goes directly to the family of the chronically/seriously ill child involved in the Kids Playing for Kids program. Typically this means granting a gift and/or wish for the child as well as helping with overwhelming medical expenses. Kids Playing for Kids has no paid staff. Incidental expenses, such as for event planning & promotion, are paid from private funds so that you can be certain your money will be used for the purpose intended.
1. All donations are tax deductible and will be acknowledged promptly with a donation receipt.
- Send a check – payable to KIDS PLAYING FOR KIDS or KPFK
22375 N. 65th Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85310
Though donations are accepted, the PRIMARY reason is to let all of you know about this organization and hopefully get more pilots involved. Those who are already involved in youth sports are in a great position to help this effort along. This may be the idea to take your program to the next level.
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Imagine a life filled with secrets, criticism, disease, 10 pills a day and tens of thousands of dollars in treatment. Then imagine there was hope.
It’s a haven, a place of rest, peace, learning and laughter. A place where children whose lives cast the shadow of HIV can play without accusation, laugh without being condemned, and have the freedom to just be a child. A place their parents and caregivers can depend on, lean on and trust. It’s a place where hope lives.
Welcome to Hope House
Hope House began out of a desperately growing need. As AIDS began its deadly progression, so commenced research by a committed group of volunteers from the Junior League of Memphis. They discovered that women affected by HIV had special needs. Hope House was the answer.
In 1995, Hope House opened. They offered childcare services to only five children, three days a week. Now almost 50 children and 150 adults receive hope from this house, along with auxiliary services, all focused on making the quality of life better.
It’s All About Being a Child
Many cannot imagine the struggles children at Hope House overcome each day. All of them have a parent or caregiver who is HIV positive, several have endured the challenging loss of a loved one and approximately one-third of these beautiful little ones, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, are known to be HIV positive. But despite all this, infants and children at Hope House flourish. Hope House provides each child with care based on their nutritional, physical, and intellectual needs. They work closely with the children’s medical providers and provide transportation to medical appointments. A Licensed Pediatric Nurse is also on hand in case of emergency and to make sure all medication schedules are met. But above all, Hope House provides a stable environment in which children can address the impact of HIV in their lives.
Hope House believes every child has the right to quality child care. Because of the dedication to this belief, each child currently or previously in the care of Hope House can now look forward to a better future.
Everyone Needs a Helping Hand
No matter what age, people need a place they can turn to for support and care. And that’s what parents consistently find at Hope House. From helping these adults cope with the horrible reality of HIV/AIDS to providing them with transportation, education, housing, and counseling, Hope House plays a vital role in their lives. Hope House provides parent support groups, parent training, medical support, job and GED readiness. Hope House is very aware of the importance of confidentiality to people living under certain circumstances, and works hard to honor that conviction.
Hope House is a friend to all ages and strives to help parents in any way possible. Whether it is a ride to a doctor’s appointment, help with GED assignments, or just a listening ear, Hope House is there.
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Pilots For Kids is an international organization dedicated to helping hospitalized children.
Founded in 1983 by airline crewmembers, the non-profit organization's primary activity is visiting children's hospitals and bringing toys and other needed items to each child. Pilots For Kids members include major, national and regional airline crewmembers, corporate, military and private pilots along with aviation enthusiasts.
The uniformed crewmembers meet at the children's facilities with their arms full of toys and goodies for the kids. The delight in the children's eyes cannot be explained in words as they see the pilots and flight attendants, wearing their stripes and wings, coming down the hallways to visit them.
Each year, generous donations are made to purchase thousands of toys and other items for children’s hospitals and other facilities. Pilots For Kids groups have visited children’s hospitals, orphanages, halfway houses, shelters, and other facilities in cities throughout the United States and in other areas, including Anchorage, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Guam, Tokyo and Bangkok.
One hundred percent of our collected donations go exclusively to benefit the children. Some of our purchases have included medical equipment, wheelchairs and computers for needy hospitals.
If you would like to become a Pilots for Kids member and support our organization, click here to join us.
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