ReadyKids!

*ReadyKids! Mission Possible Campaign Gets Boost with $10,000 Matching Gift from Florida Blue* ? PENSACOLA, Fla. – Nov. 21, 2024 ? ReadyKids! is thrilled to announce that the Florida Blue Foundation has made an incredible $10,000 matching gift sponsorship in support of the organization’s "Mission Possible" campaign. This generous contribution from Florida Blue is helping ReadyKids! move closer to its $115,000 goal, with $94,511 already raised by the community. ? The culmination of this remarkable effort was celebrated with a special Wrap-Up Celebration at the Florida Blue Center in Pensacola. This event not only recognized the outstanding financial support from the community, but also highlighted the shared vision of ensuring kindergarten readiness for hundreds of Escambia County Pre-K students. ? At the heart of ReadyKids!’ mission is the belief that every child deserves the chance to walk into kindergarten fully prepared to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. The organization’s comprehensive approach combines three key components: Pre-K mentoring through the ReadingPals program, family engagement, and educator support. This year, ReadyKids! is poised to support up to 300 Pre-K students, including expansion into a new school and service to 17 Title I voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) classrooms. ? Kristy Craig, Executive Director of ReadyKids!, expressed her excitement, "Florida Blue is a valued partner in our mission of kindergarten readiness, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their commitment to helping us reach new heights. With their support, we are able to ensure more children in our community have the resources, mentorship, and care they need to succeed." ? "ReadyKids!’ mission resonates deeply with us at Florida Blue,” said Florida Blue Market Leader Hong Potomski.?“We believe that when a community comes together with a shared mission, anything is possible. At the heart of that mission is the well-being of our children, ensuring they have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive." ? Potomski added, "Imagine the possibilities when we join forces—your support, combined with Florida Blue’s, can unlock a brighter future for our local children. Our investment is about more than just an organization—it’s about making a lasting impact on the community as a whole." ? ReadyKids! invites the entire community to continue supporting their efforts for local kids. With just over $20,000 remaining to reach the final goal, every contribution helps ensure that Pensacola’s youngest learners have the foundation they need for lifelong success. ? For more information or to donate, visit ReadyKidsFL.org.

?? Huge thanks to PenAir Credit Union! ?? Today, their incredible team came together at their Nine Mile location to pack nearly 300 Winter Break Bags for Escambia County Pre-K students! These bags are filled with fun and engaging academic activities to enjoy over the break, plus warm apparel to keep our little learners cozy during the chilly months ahead. Thanks to PenAir's generous sponsorship, we’re able to spread warmth, learning, and joy to many children in our community!

Today, our Board of Directors is kicking off one of our favorite activities of the year: Operation: Gratitude! As we enter this season of thankfulness, our board members are picking up the phones and writing heartfelt thank-you notes to show appreciation to the incredible donors who make our mission of kindergarten readiness possible. ??

We’re thrilled to announce that Legal Graffiti, with a generous matching gift from Joe Zarzaur, raised $1,642 for ReadyKids! and our mission of kindergarten readiness. We are also proud to have donated 200 books to children during the event, spreading the joy of reading even further! A huge thank you to everyone who came out, spray painted, donated, and supported our cause. Your contributions are making a lasting impact on the lives of local kids!

#HIRING: ReadyKids! is looking for a passionate, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a part-time ReadingPals Site Coordinator! If you care about early education and love building meaningful relationships with volunteers, this role is for you. Help us make a lasting impact on young learners in our community by supporting one-on-one mentorship through our ReadingPals program. Learn more: ReadyKidsFL.org/apply

Join us in making a difference for our local children! Until the end of October, participating Shell stations will donate a portion of your fill-up at the specially marked purple Giving Pumps. Just visit one of the participating Shell stations and start giving!

?We are immensely grateful to be honored as Greater Pensacola Chamber's Nonprofit of the Year!! ??

On Tuesday, our community came together to show what’s possible when we unite for local children. Under the theme Mission Possible, we celebrated the power of collaboration to unlock every child's potential. A huge thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Regions Bank and The Hive Foundation through Innisfree Hotels. We're also grateful to Florida Blue for matching donations to ReadyKids! up to $10,000! Together, we can ensure our children are prepared for day one of kindergarten and beyond. ??? Thank you!

We had the best time at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos game last night! Early rain didn't scare away the fans and it turned out to be a beautiful evening. We're so grateful for our community partners, Board of Directors, and volunteers who helped raise money and awareness for our mission of kindergarten readiness!

ReadyKids! is thrilled to be a beneficiary of the 2024 Seville Rotary Steak Cook-Off! Join us on Friday, October 11 to enjoy the festivities and stroll through the streets of Seville sampling delicious steaks from up to 20 teams, all of whom are grilling for the title and trophy of the BEST Steak! Make sure you use our unique link to purchase your ticket today: https://lnkd.in/guvAMNWR