Our Impact

“Thank you for your recent generous donation of 166 new sports equipment items from Markwort to Lift for Life Gym.  Your gift will ensure other kids, like Jerome, have access to a place they can feel safe, receive a fresh meal, participate in activities every child should be able to enjoy, and most importantly, somewhere they can create a future.” - Joseph Miller, Executive Director

“We appreciate your support from the bottoms of our tennis shoes to the helmets on our heads.  Please keep up the outstanding work your organization is doing.  Lift For LIfe Academy needs you and is grateful to your Board and your donors for helping our kids to thrive in the athletic arena.” -Marshall Cohen, Executive Director & Founder -Susan Kelter, Community Relations & Volunteer Manager

“This year alone, The Buddy Fund has helped us to make a difference in the lives of over 200 children in our after school, day camp, and home school physical education programs.  Of most importance for the kids are lessons learned in sports discipline and recreation that help us to fulfill our youth character-building mission.” - Connie Reker

“The Buddy Fund’s grant allows children, youth, and families throughout Youth In Need to have access to various activities that would otherwise not happen, as well as creative counseling interventions with clients and their families. Several skills are increased by the use of things like sporting balls, jump ropes, and other equipment, including motor skills, relaxation techniques, self-awareness, goal setting, conflict resolution, and relationships.“

“Thanks to The Buddy Fund our Early Head Start and Head Start program (ages birth through 5) has been able to enhance the developmental skills of all children enrolled in the program.”  

“The support we receive from The Buddy Fund allows us to free up money that would be used to provide the necessary sporting equipment for our members.  It allows the Boys & Girls Club to scholarship children whose parents are not in the position to fund the expenses incurred with their child in the sports programs.” -Crag Leavell, Executive Director ​-Jeanette Koechner, Resource Development Director

“Many of these children have never owned a basketball or soccer ball, so giving them an opportunity to own their very own, have pride in athletic play, exercise and take a break from their personal challenges, is a real gift.” - Dave Martin

“The Buddy Fund has helped our organization by allowing our residents to play sports and learn new activities…Through these Recreation activities, the residents learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and have an opportunity to cope with their emotions.” - Debbie Taylor  

“The Buddy Fund supports us by donating all the baseballs we use every year.  If not for the donated baseballs it could mean possibly adding $10 to the sign up fees. The added $10 could mean some kids may not get to play baseball in our program.” - Donn H. Schmidt

“By The Buddy Fund providing the sports equipment for our membership for all these years you are helping our club's staff keep these kids engaged in positive programs and activities while staying away from drugs, going to jail or worse." -Tom Wild, Executive Director