As I look back on 2024, I find myself reflecting with immense gratitude on what has been a truly remarkable year for Kids Helping Kids. Last year, we celebrated a significant milestone 15 years of empowering youth through leadership development and service. We are incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made together, and I am deeply grateful for the continued support of our community.
Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, we completed 145 service projects, impacting the lives of 2,408 children. These numbers are a testament to the passion and commitment of the youth we serve, who inspire us daily with their altruism and dedication to making the world a better place
Looking ahead, I am filled with hope and enthusiasm for all the ways we will continue to serve and empower the next generation of leaders. I hope you, too, are inspired by the extraordinary efforts of our youth volunteers and will join us in celebrating the positive change they are creating.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Jennifer Bentley Executive Director
Alumni Testimonials
Gerard Spooner Martinez
“In the midst of the hectic year of 2020, I was fortunate enough to become part of a group of hard-working, selfmotivated, and generous teenagers. I am very grateful to have found a second family through Kids Helping Kids, making friends with elementary, middle, and high school students across my town of Stamford. Although we all have grown up with different educations, were raised in households with unique cultures, and have varying skills and interests, we share a common goal: improving the quality of life of the underserved children in our community.“
Alice
Onorio
“I have been given leadership opportunities where I am able to use my voice, and strengthen myself as a leader. This has allowed me to gain confidence and has made me more comfortable speaking up for what I believe in. Kids Helping Kids has also given me a community which I can lean on for support, especially during hard times such as the Covid-19 pandemic. We have adjusted to and overcome tough challenges we are faced with. However, what I am most grateful for from my time spent with Kids Helping Kids is having the ability to give back to my community. Being able to make an impact on others while also learning about myself was extremely meaningful to me, and is something that I will cherish for years to come.“
“These numbers not only highlight our dedication to developing youth leaders, but also motivate us to look toward 2025 with excitement, eager to continue growing and making a positive impact in the Fairfield County community.”
-Sabrina
Bailon,
KHK Operations Coordinator
Projects Details
Spark a Project
Show Up and Serve
Signature Project
84
New volunteers in 2024
145 Youth-Led Service projects
179
# of volunteers with 1 > hour of community service
2,408
Children served
Volunteers have the opportunity to propose, plan and lead projects with the support of KHK staff, fostering creativity and collaboration. This year, we successfully executed 272.5 hours of "Spark a Project" service projects, cherished by volunteers as the most enjoyable, where they are able to create initiatives aligned with their interests.
Catering to volunteers eager to contribute to the community without leading their own projects, this initiative requires no preparation This year marked the execution of 340.5 hours of "Show Up and Serve” projects, in our collaboration with local organizations.
Our Signature projects, characterized by their annual, large-scale nature, have earned a reputation for their impact, typically reaching 300-400 underserved children per event. Hope Day, which is a mental health resource fair, attained Signature status due to its widespread popularity and outstanding performanc r a t
Kids Helping Kids Impact
By joining KHK, kids feel empowered to serve the community and in the process learn about service.
In 2024, Kids Helping Kids continued its commitment to community outreach and partnership, living our mission to teach young volunteers to understand the importance of giving back. As a volunteer organization, our dedication to community service is reflected in the completion of 1,674 hours of impactful projects with over 20 local organizations. The logos below represent just a glimpse of the many valued partners we had the pleasure of collaborating with. Our nonprofit exists to benefit the community, and we look forward to fostering even more meaningful connections in the years to come.
Meet the Board
President
Tom Chiappetta
Tom is president and founder of Good Sports Solutions LLC As a former local sportswriter, he has a life-long career in the sports and media industries, with experience in public relations, sponsorships, special events, consulting and non-profit leadership
Diane UrbanSecretary
Diane is a freelance digital learning producer/content developer She has led all aspects of digital development including creative strategy, curriculum integration, and research/evaluation
Dominick Cingari
Dominick is an owner of Grade A ShopRite, a business that began as a small family grocery store Dominick has 2 children who are KHK ambassadors and lives in Shippan with his wife, Lisa
Allison Frattaroli
Allison is a Brand Marketing Manager at Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind Sesame Street In her time since graduating from Lafayette College in 2018 with a B A in Psychology, she has developed expertise in marketing and TV production, and a passion for volunteerism
Dennis Ladd
Dennis Ladd is a Vice President and Charitable Planning Consultant at Fidelity Charitable He enjoys volunteering as a University of Vermont Alumni Admissions Representative and Career Networker, a volunteer-driven community home repair program; and a school mentoring program in Norwalk, CT
Esperanza Teasdale
Esperanza Teasdale he is a Vice President/General Manager at PepsiCo She is a graduate from Rutgers University, College of Engineering and The University of Connecticut, MBA
Gene Alvarez
Eugenio (Gene) Alvarez is a Distinguished VP Analyst with Gartner, Inc. Mr. Alvarez has over 40 years of business and IT experience Prior to joining Gartner, he held positions with Nine West Group, KPMG Peat Marwick, New York Power Authority, and AT&T Communications
Bobby Walker, Jr. Vice President
Bobby is the Assistant Head for Student and Community Life at Greenwich Academy. Prior to this role, he was the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, Greenwich Bobby has extensive experience in nonprofit management
Richard Vogt Treasurer
Richard D. Vogt, CPA, CVA is the principal of Vogt & Company, P C , a CPA and consulting firm Mr Vogt has over 11 years of professional accounting experience and over nine years of professional valuation experience
Charles Evangelakos
Charlie is an accomplished wealth manager and founder at Pallas Capital Advisors with over 24 years of experience helping highly affluent families, corporate executives and business owners manage the unique complexities of their financial health and legacies
Brian Kluberdanz
Brian is a civil litigation attorney at Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Kuriansky LLP in Stamford, who focuses his practice primarily on plaintiffs’-side personal injury, employment, and commercial litigation
Judy Marzen
Judy Marzen has her J D from St John Law School
She specialized in securities fraud and class action litigation and handled some antitrust and employment discrimination litigation, as well as pro bono criminal and family law matters
Jennifer KelleyCo-Founder
Jennifer is the Executive Director at the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction After her daughter, Lexi, came up with the idea of creating KHK she helped her from June 2009 to 2020 as Executive Director
Ashton Dominique
Ashton has been devoted over 17 years to working with and empowering the youth as a high school paraprofessional, counselor at Stamford’s Boys & Girls Club, and Head coach of JV basketball at Westhill High
Abby Guilfoyle is from Stamford, CT and currently a senior at Fordham University, majoring in History and English on the PreLaw track Shes been volunteering with Kids Helping Kids since 2013 and served on the Youth Advisory Board Her favorite KHK event was the Pumpkin Bread Bake Sale
Lexi Kelley
Abby Guilfoyle
thanks to
Corporate Partners, Grantors & Foundations
Kutnick and Laura Gordon Kutnick Foundation Inc
& Hanna Charitable Fund
The Craig B. Tate Foundation
Dale
The Louis J. Kuriansky Foundation, Inc.
Michael Ritter Foundation of Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Berkowitz
In-Kind Donors
Marilyn Armengol
Aux Délices
Bar Taco
Beatrice Niv
Bobby Walker Jr.
Boys & Girls Club of Stamford
Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Program
Chelsea Piers CT
Darien YMCA
Diane Urban
Eric Shoji
Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame & Youth Foundation
Fjord Fish Market
GrandeLIPS
Honey Joe's Italian Center of Stamford
Janet Lane
Jennifer Bentley
Karen Huntoon
Keren Schindelman
Kim Higgs
Kim Kempton
Kona Ice
Kramer Portrait Studios
Leo and Judy Marzen LUSH
Pamela Schmidt-Cavaliero
Patricia Tyre
PepsiCo
Pickleball America
Richard Vogt
ShopRite/Grade A
Sound Waters
Stamford High School
Stamford Police
Staples The Ashforth Company
Total Wine & More
Trader Joes
Thank you to our generous community members who donated items to our Handled with Care Boutique, the Gift of Giving and Smiles for School.
Finances
Total Ex Total Funding
Total Expenses for 2024
We'd like to thank all our donors for their generous support
Activist $100 - $499
Melissa Acevedo
Haylin Alpert
Michael and Janet Ambrosecchio
Alba Arredondo
Patrick Ashe and Ashley Farrar
Justin Askew
Ellie and Charlie Bagli
Bess Barnes
Mary Barsch
AJ Bellas
Amy Belz
Michael Bitton
Stephanie and Sal Boccuzzi
Stacy Bone
George Boyce
Steve Brutus
Jennienne Burke
Keiko Castañeda
Josefine Cays
Frank Chiappetta
Patricia and Albert Chiappetta
Chip Cingari
Joseph Cingari
Jane Cleary
Sean and Michelle Cooney
Elena and Joseph Coppola
Christopher Crawford
Phyllis D'Alleva
Ashton Dominique
Nicolas Duarte
Margarita Esparrago
Christopher and Tracey Frattaroli
Steve Frattaroli
The Joey Comunale Fund
Ana Gallegos
Liz and Ed Garofalo
Jana Greer
Edward and Parry Grogan
Denis and Bernie Guilfoyle
Cynthia Hofer
Greggory Kobelski and Lexi Kelley
Kevin Kiernan
Pamela Fornero and Robert Kulesh
Adam Blank and Melissa Lacovacci
Roger LaGratta
Janet Lane
Arden Lesoravage
Matthew Lillard
Joe and Theresa Lombardi
Catherine Long
Terri Lowenthal
Tamu and John Lucero
Diane Mannello
Joseph Mashe
Chris McDonald
William McDaniel
Christine McKelvey
Hannah Walker Miracola
Cecile Meunier
Libby Miller
Matthew Millson
Eileen More
Lori and Charles Mulligan
Michael and Joan Nicholson
Beatrice Niv
Patricia Oakes
Robert and Kathleen Oriel
Donna and Sean Ormond
Mary O'Rourke
Aileen and Troy O'Sullivan
Kristi Patterson
Rosemary Pason
Denise Petrone
Kenneth Pierce
Paula Byrne Pozzi
Karen Pritchard
Maryann and John SanFilippo
Robert Santangelo
Dennis Schack
Anna Schaefer
Joan Scheffold
Chip and Kim Schenck
Keren and Ian Schindelman
Janet Schutz
Richard and Susan Sebilian
Steven Seifert
Matthew and Kathy Shoztic
Christine Silver
Rick and Claudia Smeriglio
Elizabeth Snyder
Susan Staub
Michell Story
Donna Sweidan
Maren and Matthew Tripolitsiotis
Dave Torromeo
Gabriella Torzilli
Bonnie and Bob Tuite
Timothy and Karla Valas Roisin and Joseph Veckerelli
Donna Volpitta
Savina Waldron
Torrance York
Susan Wilchinsky
Armel Jacobs Witthuhn
Melissa and Steven Wood
Jason and Suzanne Woody
*We are so grateful for every person that has supported KHK. If we accidentally omitted your name, please accept our sincere apology and let us know.
