"Toni (17) frequently arrives at school out of uniform. We offer her a rental but she feels embarrassed. That triggers emotional distress and behavioral outbursts. I know from personal experience how embarrassing it is to take charity. We were happy to send a gift card for new clothes.

Thank you to all of the new donors on this page for your recent contributions. We've raised several thousand dollars from you in the last day or two. If you want to donate just go to www.aliceskids.org and see the big DONATE button. This is the only time we ask for donations for the year.

It's "Giving Tuesday"! forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=01ac...

Our good friend and supporter, @pattonoswalt.bsky.social will be on Steve Colbert on Wednesday!

Today we are mailing out our Annual Appeal. It is the ONLY time of the year we ask for donations. Please consider helping us reach even more kids. To make an online donation, use the DONATE button at aliceskids.org To pay by check, mail it to PO Box 60, Mount Vernon, VA 22121.

We were happy to pay for Jada's outfit!

Just another thank you to our friend, @pattonoswalt.bsky.social, for donating $10,000 to us via his appearance on the Great American Baking Show!!

Julie Derrickson, one of our supporters in Delaware, recently chatted with our friend Patton Oswalt @pattonoswalt.bsky.social about our work at his book signing!

"Jace (10) is autistic & and is now taking Risperdal. Within 3 months, he gained over 25 pounds. While he's trying to stay active, the fact is that none of his clothes fit him anymore. The family is not in a position to afford any new clothes. Would Alice pay for a gift card?" YES

Latest stats...

"Selena's (6) Mom passed away suddenly last year & the anniversary is coming up soon. I would like to get her a teddy bear made with his mother's picture on it. She is struggling & is having behavioral issues. I feel that this will help her feel better." We sent a gift card.

"Jay (15) has been coming to school in dirty, torn pants for the past week & his shoe has a large rip in it. While he tries to brush off the comments of others, he just told me 'anyone would be mad about having to leave the house like this.' Would Alice pay for new pants & athletic gear?." Done!

"Liz need a sun umbrella, a handheld fan, cotton dresses & detergent. She has psoriasis and does not come to school because she's worried she will get teased & she can't sweat on the walk home. These items will help her greatly & get her back to school." We paid for the items.

"Ramon (15) & his brother migrated to CA to flee gangs in Mexico. But they both were labor trafficked until their aunt rescued them. Still, Ramon is the definition of resilience. His passion is car mechanics & he'd like to take some courses but they cost $150." We paid for the courses.

We've been on vacation this week, thus no posts. We'll be back on Monday!!

"Our son just got a pair of shoe inserts thanks to Alice. He completed his last chemo & is now lifting weights & running. He was so excited when the inserts came in, he immediately put them in a pair of shoes and wore them! We so appreciate what your organization has done/is doing."

This young man now has a jersey of his favorite baseball player, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. We do not help kids who are Boston Red Sox fans 😜

"Caleb was in an accident earlier this year & missed 3 months of school. When he returned, he joined the band program & fell in love with the trumpet. He's getting free music lessons but the trumpet is no longer available. We found a used one at a local music store. Would Alice pay for it? Yes

"Debbie (11) recently had intestinal surgery so she now is fed thru a feeding tube. With 3 other children in the house, things can get crazy & Mom needs a place to store all of Debbie's food & meds. A mini-refrigerator would be great but the cost is prohibitive." We sent a $125 gift card.

"Diana's (7) mom works as a street vendor, has legal status but is still afraid of ICE raids, so she's not making money. Diana's also afraid to be on the street & is concerned she won't have any back-to-school clothes." We sent a gift card so Diana could get new clothes without going to the store.

"Xavier (18) has a business where he installs, fixes & does landscaping. The money is used to provide for his parents & siblings. He will soon take a certification program to grow his trade but he needs a shovel, rake and level & the cost is prohibitive." We gave him a Home Depot gift card.

"Brie (10) is a victim of abuse with many sensory challenges, including a struggle to brush her teeth. Because her teeth are yellow, she's teased by her peers. There is a sensory specific U-shaped toothbrush that would make it easier for her to brush her teeth but it's expensive." We paid.

"Brenda (10) gets very nervous when she gets her prescribed shot every 2 weeks. But recently I found something called a 'buzzy,' which is a cold device that you place by the site of the shot before administering it. It vibrates, which distracts from the pain. Would Alice pay for this device?" 👍

We're thinking of making an Alice's Kids bumper sticker with a QR code that links to our home page. Would you put that bumper sticker (or magnet) on your car?

"Tre is autistic & has been living with his mom in a car for weeks. They just moved into HUD housing but he just lost his Toni reading machine in a flash flood. It's an important calming device for him. Would Alice pay for a new one?" YES.

Recall we paid for all of the prom tickets for kids in the 6 Altadena schools. We went to 2 of the proms & talked to many kids who lost their homes. For that nite, they got dressed up, had good food & forgot their pain. Only downside was we paid $4,000 for several limos & they never came.

We're going to the prom in California!! I've got my green leisure suit already to go!

The spirit of this woman overwhelms me

We don't post on weekends, so I'd like to recognize Mother's Day by thanking Alice Reilly Fitzsimmons for doing her best. A troubled woman who faced considerable economic hardship when our father left us, she did her best to lift her kids. And, thru Alice's Kids, she's still lifting children.

"Bella (16) was so happy to be able to pick out her own scent. The perfume came in a cute little bag that she carries around daily (see pic). She was so ecstatic to receive a gift that helped build her confidence. She's expressed her gratitude many times & I always compliment her on her scent."

Thru April, we've assisted 4,827 children across the country. Last year we helped 10,407 children, meaning we're on a pace to break last year's record. Still, if you'd like to help spread the word about our services in your community, email us at [email protected] & we'll plug you in!

"Brianna (17) is a resilient young lady who is interested in going to a beauty school upon graduating. All her life, she has struggled with Type 1 diabetes & her doctor has recommended she wear a health watch to track her glucose, heart rate & BP. But Mom can't afford it." We paid for her watch.

Sanja (5) has Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (G-tube fed), Global Developmental Delay & Epilepsy so she requires extra cleaning supplies. Because she tends to gag herself & put her hands in her diaper." We paid for hygiene products for this poor young girl.

"Shayla (15) is being treated for Crone's Disease. Her illness has brought on added expense to an already difficult family financial situation. because of the nature of her illness, Shayla is losing weight rapidly so she needs clothes to accommodate her rapid weight changes. Can Alice help?" Yes.

"Angel (9) deeply misses his father, who was recently incarcerated. His mother works at Denny's. In the past, Angel attended a Sunday swim class which gave him confidence & he dreams of becoming a professional swimmer. He'd love to return to the class." We paid for 3 months of swim classes.

"Megan's (6) parents just moved to W. VA into a small house they bought from foreclosure sight unseen. But when they arrived, they discovered that while there was indoor plumbing, there was no toilet in the one bathroom. We found a toilet for $99.98 at Sam's Club." We paid!

"Elaine recently disclosed that her stepfather has been sexually abusing her. She and her mom ran away and now are in a shelter. In a few weeks, Elaine will turn 8 but her mom cannot afford any presents. Elaine's favorite store is Claire's. Would Alice send a gift card? YES

"Elaine (17) & her family has been struggling since her father abandoned the family. Our arts class will be going to the Museum of Modern Art in May but her mom cannot afford the fee. It's an amazing opportunity for her and we wondered if Alice could help her? Of course!

"Tina (17) is on the wrestling team, works part-time at a gym & has been accepted to 6 colleges. Recently, however, she was the victim of a robbery where they took her headphones, notebooks, pens & calculator. Mom can't replace these items due to tough finances." We sent a generous VISA card.

Sometimes a kid just needs one thing to make them feel good about themself.

We've just learned that the "Friends of Alice Finger" will match every donation from a NEW DONOR up to $10,000. If you have never donated to us, this is a great time to do so as your donation will be doubled. Just go to www.aliceskids.org and hit the Donate button! THANKS!

A fun video from Marshall High School... youtu.be/UnS3HmXoXbY?...

"Charles (14) started his first day as a page in our state Senate today. It was all possible because Alice paid for his page uniform!"

"Jasmine (17) suffers from anxiety & often comes to school a bit disheveled. She has a job with long hours & helps her Mom by paying for household items. Getting her GED will let her apply to college and/or to focus on a career path but they cost $150." We were happy to pay for the tests.

We just got our last request from a social service agency that has to close its doors due to federal funding cuts. We expedited the approval to help that child.

"Brandi had a great time on her field trip to several art galleries and she is now making progress towards her treatment goals of reducing self-harm due to the safe outlets that her theater club provide her. We're near the first anniversary of her father's death so this trip was a great outlet."

Benja (7) is from Ethiopia. She has significant developmental delays, a diagnosis of autism & engages in many unsafe behaviors. Her family struggles with her throwing toys down the toilet and they've had to pay multiple plumbers for repair work. Would Alice pay for a toilet lock? Yes.

Following the PR about the prom tickets, local nail salons have offered to do nails for free, a limo service is offering discounted limos & a company is donating 100 NEW prom dresses! I'm also going to the Marshall HS prom. I think I can still fit into my own prom tux...