ReadyKids!

ReadyKids! is honored to be among the inaugural class of nonprofits to earn certification from Pensacola State College's Nonprofit Excellence and Philanthropy program! This rigorous program covered seven key pillars of nonprofit excellence—Legal Compliance, Strategy & Evaluation, Leadership, Finance & Operations, Resource Development, Public Awareness/Advocacy, and Human Resources—of which, ReadyKids! was certified in all. By achieving this certification, we are demonstrating our commitment to excellence, public trust, and the highest ethical and legal standards. Our community deserves organizations that are transparent, accountable, and deeply dedicated to their mission—and ReadyKids! is proud to lead by example. A huge thank you to Pensacola State College, the program’s donors, faculty, and nonprofit experts who made this possible. We are proud to serve our community through innovation, integrity, and a relentless commitment to creating lasting impact for children and families.

When we invest in children at their youngest academic year, we are building the foundation for future leaders. This week, the Leadership Pensacola Class of 2025 experienced that firsthand through #ReadingPals—where laughter, smiles, and meaningful connections filled the room. We’re grateful to the Greater Pensacola Chamber for creating opportunities like this, immersing local leaders in the heart of our community—from education to safety, health, and beyond.

ReadyKids! is proud to host Read Across Pensacola Day Extravaganza on March 8. Join us for a day full of fun, learning, and community spirit as we celebrate the joy of reading! ?? Children and families will enjoy interactive story times, book giveaways, fun crafts and games, costumed characters, balloon animals, and more - all FREE! ?? Saturday, March 8, 2025 ?? Wedgewood Community Center Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Cardoso Law, PLLC and PenAir Credit Union.

We are ecstatic to share that thanks to the incredible generosity and hard work of Seville Rotary Club of Pensacola, ReadyKids! received an amazing $10,080 gift from this year's Steak Cook-Off! ?? This phenomenal support reflects not only their dedication to our mission but also their commitment to lifting up our entire community and fellow nonprofit beneficiaries. Every dollar raised for our mission will go directly toward empowering children and families in our community, helping us create brighter futures together. ??

*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!