BY FAMILY SERVICES
Since the public launch of the Raising Every Child capital campaign just four months ago, contributions from businesses foundations, and private donors have propelled campaign support past $3.4 million.
Family Services is working with a campaign leadership team of community volunteers to raise $3.75 million to expand programs that will annually help 1,500 of our most vulnerable population, children from birth to age 5.
At the time of the public launch, the campaign had raised 75% of its goal thanks to support from foundations, including the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, the Winston-Salem Foundation, the Cannon Foundation, the James G. Hanes Memorial Fund, and the R. J. Reynolds II and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation; local businesses, including BB&T, Wells Fargo, Truliant, Novant Health, Davie Construction, Quality Oil, and Hanesbrands; the City of Winston-Salem, and Forsyth County; and almost $1 million from private donors, including several family foundations.
Recent gifts from private donors, Reynolds American International, and Forsyth County have moved the needle to 93% of the goal – closer to addressing the opportunity gap and helping more children have the start they need to succeed in school and life.
“The need is great in our community. Too many of our children who enter kindergarten in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools are at risk of falling behind, particularly in reading, from the first day they start school. In addition, a 2017 Harvard University study ranked Forsyth County one of the worst counties in the United States in helping poor children up the income ladder,” says William B. Reingold, retired Chief District Court Judge and co-chair of the Raising Every Child campaign with Peggy Reingold, Community Relations Consultant at Wells Fargo.
“When you are born into poverty, it doesn’t make you less gifted;
it only gives you fewer options – and more obstacles.“
We want to remove those obstacles so that every child in this community has the opportunity to use their gifts and grow in their own way to support themselves and their futures,” adds Peggy Reingold.
“These children are no less precious, and we don’t see them as victims. They are just under-resourced,” she says.
Studies show that young children – especially children who are disadvantaged due to living in persistent poverty – can benefit from high quality early childhood development programs.
“However, too many children remain stranded on the far side of opportunities that can help them,” says Bill Reingold. Current Family Services programs are working and improving those numbers, yet limited public funding is not meeting the needs of all preschoolers who are eligible.
“That’s why we are honored to lead the Raising Every Child capital campaign and work with volunteers and the community to expand, collaborate and impact more children and their families than ever before,” the Reingolds add.
Family Services is now asking the community to provide the remaining support, ensuring that more children have access to resources during the first five years – that once-only window of opportunity when a child’s mind becomes wired for success (or hardship) that will last into adulthood.
To discuss your meaning gift to the Raising Every Child capital campaign, please contact Michelle Speas, CFRE, Chief Development and Public Relations Officer at mspeas@FamilyServicesForsyth.orgor 336.722.8173.
