Launchpad4kids, Inc.

Thanks to our donors, Allison is set to begin dance classes this week as her first activity with us! 🩰

Want to support a child in our program?
Check out https://i.mtr.cool/ifemtzjdhy

Supporting kids through extracurriculars not only helps the children who gain so many experiences from participating, but all of society as a whole receives the ultimate benefit.

Click the link in our bio “Fund A Child” to close the opportunity gap and help launch 9 year old Brody into 3 months of Karate lessons! 🚀

The gift of experience, he’ll never forget!

🌟Find out why Brody was nominated to our program from his school.

Teacher Nomination: “The family has overcome all the odds, from separation, trauma, and being a single mom of 4. The children are the most resilient beings I know, and the family has worked hard on a path of healing. As they are healing, equipping her son with the tools is paramount to continue to support them as they get to the point they need to get. The child is a lively, and strong willed kid, and this will continue to strengthen his resolve.” M.M.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Launch List so you can hear about more kids that need YOUR support!

We don’t always get photos from parents but
there is just nothing like these unboxing smiles that capture the excitement when they receive their activity equipment.

This is why we launch!

If you want to see more kids that could use crowdfunding for an activity, sign up for the launch list with the link in bio.

Met with the Mosaic planning team to kick off the Launch Party planning!

We’re taking this next event to new heights 😉

Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 18th, 2025! Be sure to sign up for our weekly-ish newsletter to get updates on what’s happening behind the scenes that doesn’t always make it to social media!

Cheers to the 3rd year with a REAL planning committee! 💪

Jenaya started her swim classes yesterday thanks to her donors! 🏊‍♀️
Huge thanks to the .f.ymca staff for always making the sign up process so seamless even with so many different moving parts.

Working patiently with our parents, delighting our kids and connecting with the program is no easy task!

If you’re new here Launchpad is a nonprofit that gives kids the opportunity to participate in extracurriculars through donor crowdfunding!

If you’d like to help us close the opportunity gap and support a child check out our website and click Fund a Child at LaunchPad4kids.org

Thanks to our sponsors, this mama had the opportunity to see her son make it to the championship round! Here’s what she emailed us this week!

“Just wanted to send a very big thank you for allowing my boys to participate in baseball this year. Jrs team ended up making it to the championship round of the league playoffs. They ended up taking 2nd place so I just wanted to share this picture with you”-Launchpad parent

The Launch List is out! Did you get your copy?
If you want to find out who’s been launched and who needs your help to be launched or simply the happenings with our program, sign up for the Launch List-your weekly spark of goodness in our bio or on our website at Launchpad4kids.org

Closing out the school year portion and prepping for the Summer internship! ✌️

This school year alone these kids have already racked up over 30 hours of volunteer hours.

A combination of:

✅ Admin work
✅ Starting and running the Thrift 4 A Cause club chapters at their respective schools
✅Creating, planning and executing a pop-up thrift shop in under a month!
✅ Launch Party prep volunteers
✅ Redding Easter Egg hunt volunteers
✅ Becoming pros at ordering Starbucks 😜
✅ Learning the backend of what it really takes to run a nonprofit business (the good, the bad and the ugly)!
✅ A ton of laughs

So excited to see what fun ideas we come up with over the Summer! We have a great group of hard workers, creatives, organizers, ‘comedians’ and as a bonus all of them have a strong will to see our community thrive which I love! 🤩

They did it!!

From conception to completion!

Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen! Especially everyone of you that took the time to stop by, check it out and support them!







We got some great feedback and we’re planning to do it again, so if you’ve got donations of any type of clothing and sports equipment DM us or and we’ll take them anytime!

Did you know Redding had a Roller hockey team for kids?

The season lasts from March-May! Gear included!

We’re thinking about adding this to our list of activities!

In the meantime, one of the kids in our program was able to take advantage of this opportunity and shared this photo with us!

It’s been a while, but we’ve been busy launching kids over here!
This is 10 year old Jane, whose grandparents do everything they can to help her participate in extracurricular activities. She was nominated by her school counselor and is looking forward to starting her next activity in piano this April!
Empowering kids to embrace their talents and believe in their awesomeness is like unlocking a superpower! That’s just one of the extraordinary impacts of giving kids access to extracurriculars!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support LaunchPad 4 Kids this past weekend!🎉
The Launch Party was, by all accounts, a success!
A special thank you to all of our competing Mixologists for the fun drinks we were able to taste and experience!
Many of our Mixologists practice their recipe for weeks before competing in the annual North State Mixology Competition each January!
All of the unique twists and flavor profiles made for nothing short of a delight to the senses throughout the night!!
CONGRATULATIONS to The Post Office Downton as the ultimate winner in BOTH categories, The People’s Choice Award and The Judges Choice Award for 2024!👏👏👏
Many of the mixologists were planning to add the drinks to their menus for a short time, so be sure to ask about their cocktails this week during Happy Hours or as a special from the participating mixologists:





r.gibbs


EVENT SPONSORS:
Mission Control Sponsor: The Casino on Hilltop
Galactic Sponsor: Sierra Pacific
Space Explorer Sponsor: Dr. Randy Tate and Vista Real Estate
Of course, this event wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration and amazing admin staff from , , Chef Josh and staff for working so hard to bring the vision to fruition for a second year! 💪🙌
Last but certainly not least, thank you to the Launchpad board of directors and volunteers that stepped up with their time, effort, and ideas over the last few months!! I’m so lucky and incredibly thankful to have you all as part of the team!
BOARD MEMBERS:
Summer Ryan
Tim Rayl
Pamela Ikuta
and
Lori Roemmich

VOLUNTEERS:
Jennifer Emmerson
Mandy Trusas
Lindsay and Owen Goode
Christi and Jon Dodson
Allyson Ray
Mark your calendars for next year on January 18, 2025!!!

Are you planning to be there next year?

Meet The Mixologist…
Hailing from San Francisco, Chris has an electric, bubbly personality that spills over into his craft cocktail creations. He is well-schooled in the art of mixology and has elevated the quality and depth of flavors that we enjoy at The Vault.

Meet The Judges…
Growing up in the heart of Silicon Valley, Jen Emmerson was fascinated by math, science, and engineering. After graduating from UC Davis with B.S.in Environmental Toxicology, she worked at a pharmaceutical start-up in Vacaville as a scientist. Eight years later, Jen moved to Cottonwood, and accepted her new position as a full-time mom.

Jen became active in the community after her kids were out of diapers: she co-chaired her son’s school auction and raised record-breaking funds for the last two years.

“What we do defines who we are” is the statement that drives Jen. Participating in extracurricular activities enables kids to develop resilience, teamwork, and take on leadership roles. Utilizing the LaunchPad 4 Kids platform, Jen has been able to launch kids in need to unlock their full potential.

Meet The Judges…

Tim Rayl, a dynamic fractional Chief Marketing Officer with over two decades of experience, founded Simple Business Solutions in 2006. He has advised hundreds of entrepreneurs and collaborated with organizations like CommonSpirit Health, Fall River Brewing Company, the Friesen Group, Dignity Health, Ace Asphalt of the Southwest, and Rolling Hills Casino. Alongside his professional achievements, Tim celebrates a 20-year marriage with Nikki and is a proud father to Taylor and Will. He serves as a board member with LaunchPad 4 Kids, Inc because he believes that by giving kids positive experiences and role models early in life, it provides them with a foundation for a lifetime of success.
Thank you Tim, for your continued support as an outstanding board member and a Launch Party Mixology Judge!

Meet The Judges…
Lindsay Fisher is a local realtor at Vista Real Estate. She moved from Humboldt to Redding in 2014 and fell in love with all the area has to offer.
She is dedicated to her beautiful, family, friends, and community. Lindsay’s love for her community is expressed in her volunteer work encompassing nonprofits, youth athletics and activities.
Aside from Real Estate, work in the community and traveling she is passionate about cooking, decorating, landscaping, and art.
Thank you for supporting LaunchPad as a Launch Party Mixology Judge and volunteer year after year!

Meet the Judges:

Ricky Ray is a Shasta High and Shasta College graduate who went on to play football for Sacramento State. He then played professionally for 16 seasons in the Canadian Football League with Edmonton and Toronto.

Thank you Ricky Ray for supporting LaunchPad 4 Kids as a Launch Party 2024 Judge!

Meet the Judges!
Suzanne Russell is a Redding native, local business owner, entrepreneur and has been involved in local anti-human trafficking work for a decade. Her clothing boutique, Carousel, is a downtown Redding gem focused on high quality, made in America goods. On weekends Suzanne enjoys the outdoors or traveling to close by favorite areas such as Napa and Tahoe, with her husband, Ryan, and their son, Austin.
Thank you Suzanne for supporting LaunchPad 4 kids as a Launch Party Judge on Saturday, Jan 20th!

Huge thank you our Galactic Sponsor, The Sierra Pacific Foundation! Thank you for supporting kids in our community as a Launch Party sponsor!
The Sierra Pacific Foundation was founded in 1979 by A.A. “Red” Emmerson’s father, R.H. “Curly” Emmerson. Since its inception, the Foundation has focused its charitable giving programs on local youth and community programs. The Sierra Pacific Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to “Growing Healthy Communities” by contributing nearly $30 million dollars to nonprofit organizations, public education institutions, and government entities in our operating communities throughout California, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin. In addition, the Foundation has donated $9 million dollars in education scholarships.

Mrs. Ida Emmerson, wife of company president A.A. “Red” Emmerson for nearly 41 years, served as president of the Sierra Pacific Foundation until her death in 1996. Red and Ida’s daughter, Carolyn Dietz, proudly succeeded her as Foundation president.

Redding Recreation's new Youth Lacrosse League is starting soon! Have you signed your little athlete up yet?

This exciting league is for youth ages 8-12 and starts on Tuesday, January 9th! It meets at the California Soccer Park on Tuesdays and Saturdays from January 9th to February 17th.

Don't let your child miss out on the chance to learn the oldest organized sport in North America! Register now at reddingrecreation.org and click "register online" to sign up today!

We are so incredibly thankful to our Launch Party 2024 Mission Control Event Sponsor to support LaunchPad 4 Kids!
Supporting youth has never been easier. Your ticket is your donation so come with us on January 20th! Grab your tickets and all of the details at launchpad4kids.org/events.
#2024

Nicholas started wrestling this month because of Launchers just like you!
It’s Giving Tuesday and he is the reason WHY we launch!!
If you’d like to support more kids like him in our community to participate in extracurriculars, head over to our website at www.launchpad4kids.org or click the link in bio.
Here are 3 ways to show your support on Giving Tuesday:

1. Donate any amount to a child of your choice.

2. Purchase Launch Party tickets at a reduced-price until 10pm today.

3. Leave any amount with “Giving Tuesday” in the notes section of Venmo or use the event section on the website.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to support our mission of launching more kids like Nicholas!