WHO | WHAT | WHY | HOW
WHO WE ARE
KNMF is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3), non-profit charity (ID# 95-4375903) chartered in 1991 to help homeless men, women and children (veterans and their families, and L.A.'s needy kids, in particular) throughout Los Angeles, the South Bay, and Harbor Cities.
KNMF RECOGNITIONS
Aiding more than 87,617 individuals since its beginning, KNMF has been honored by many distinguished individuals and organizations, including the Secretaries of the Departments of:
Veterans Affairs
Navy
Defense
Army
Veterans Organizations
Congress
Governor of California
Mayor of Los Angeles
WHAT WE DO
-Conduct Stand Downs (Personal Care Days) for homeless veterans and other homeless men, women, and children living on the streets of Los Angeles. We distribute clothing, shoes, blankets, non-perishable food, hygiene supplies, gifts, toys and warm meals; as well as provide veterans with medical, dental, vaccines, legal, job training, employment, and transitional housing services and opportunities at these events.
-Coordinate with other homeless service providers to effectively get veterans off the streets, into jobs, and into homes offering social interaction and the encouragement needed to stay sober and off the streets.
-Arrange for medical and dental healthcare for formerly homeless veterans and men in continuum of care transitional housing with VA, UCLA Medical Center, and other healthcare providers.
-Distribute clothing, bedding, food, hygiene supplies, sports equipment and gifts to formerly homeless veterans and other needy persons working full-time and living in continuum of care transitional housing facilities.
-Provide legal aid for homeless and formerly homeless veterans at Personal Care Days and through referrals.
-Conduct Job Fairs and College/Trade School Fairs for all Veterans, including those in transitional housing and homeless veterans for entry into paid and non-paid trade training programs and for entry-level and career ladder employment.
-Provide Christmas and quarterly distributions of toys, school supplies, books, teaching aides and materials, games, sports equipment, new clothing to Los Angeles County needy children After School Literacy Programs and Hospitals.
-At Rolling Hills Preparatory School, KNMF arranges fully paid, competitive, scholarships for needy children, including children of formerly homeless veterans and other needy youth.
-Conduct shopping sprees and other entertainment events for needy children (including children of formerly homeless veterans) to distribute new personal-care items; including clothing, shoes, school supplies, and toys, sports equipment, games and learning materials to these unfortunate youngsters.
-Distribute clothing, bedding, toys, and hygiene supplies to women and children transitioning from shelters.
WHY WE DO IT
-Because 10% of the nation's homeless can be found on the streets and the shelters of Los Angeles. On any given night, veterans make up 34% of this population. Another 26% are children. We believe they deserve better.
-To carry on the work begun by Kenny Nickelson who, prior to his death at age 23, had a commitment to help the homeless. From age 16, Kenny collected and distributed food, clothing, and blankets to L.A.'s homeless.
Kenny Nickelson;)
(Click image to enlarge)
Kenny was a very special young man
and will always be a part of KNMF
and the work done by KNMFs many volunteers.
To read more about Kenny,
please Click Here
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Just as we have a mission to help as many homeless and needy people as possible, we have a responsibility to use resources wisely.
By volunteering time and resources, individuals and organizations enable KNMF to keep expenses low and use 100% of all donations to directly serve the needy. KNMF requires about $99,700 each year to fund all events and programs.
Financial support from individuals and businesses is necessary to carry out our programs.
WHAT YOUR DOLLARS DONATED TO KNMF WILL DO
$75 WOULD PROVIDE:
-19 Meals for homeless persons with a food provider service, or
-Clothing and shoes for a child under five years old for six months with a matching grant from another donor committed to match.
$150 WOULD PROVIDE:
-Clothing, shoes, backpack, and school supplies for one child (ages 5-12) for one year with a matching grant from another donor committed to match, or
-37 meals for homeless persons with a food provider service, or
-Pay 1-2 event bills* or rent one porto pottie for an event.
$300 WOULD PROVIDE:
-75 meals for homeless persons with a food provider service, or
-Clothing, shoes, backpack, and school supplies for two kids (5-12) for one year with a matching grant from another donor, or
-Pay 3-4 event bills* for one month or
-Pay for the rental of a truck for an event and one porto pottie
$600 WOULD PROVIDE:
-Twice the amount of each provision under $300
$1,000 WOULD PROVIDE:
-250 meals for homeless persons with a food provider service, or
-Clothing, shoes, backpack, and school supplies for 14 kids (ages 5-12) for one year with a matching grant from another donor, or
-Pay for two porto potties, one rental truck, 5-7 program event bills* for a month
$5,000 WOULD PROVIDE:
-1,250 meals for homeless persons with a food provider service, or
-Clothing, shoes, backpack, and school supplies for 67 kids for one year with a matching grant from another donor, or
-One year of insurance for all events and programs
$10,000 WOULD PROVIDE:
-2,500 meals for homeless persons with a food provider service, or
-Clothing, shoes, backpack, and school supplies for 134 kids for one year with a matching grant from another donor, or
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION
The Kenny Nickelson Memorial Foundation For Homeless Veterans and Children, Inc.
To make a tax-deductible donation online through PayPal, please use the online payment gateway below. To fax your donation to KNMF, please click here to access our printable donation form.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
-Contribute tax-deductible financial support (100% for program expenses).
-Donate new men's clothing, undergarments, socks, shoes, suits, towels, linens for twin/full size beds, standard pillows, hygiene and toiletry supplies (A GREAT WAY TO MOVE OUT YOUR M.O.S. INVENTORY).
-Sponsor a donation drive to collect new or laundered men's clothing, quality new/nearly new men's shoes, new socks, and new undergarments, bottled water, new toys, and new hygiene and toiletry supplies.
-Volunteer to work at our events.
-Participate as a Human Resource Specialist at KNMF Stand Downs and Personal Care Days to suggest training and job opportunities for qualified homeless and formerly homeless veterans at your company or agency.
-Sponsor a needy kid's Back-to-School Shopping Spree at a department store.
-Donate Back-to-School school supplies and backpacks for needy kids.
-Provide entertainment at KNMF events.
* Including: Insurance, rental equipment and vehicles, disposal and porto pottie expenses, supplies to organize and transport care items, postage, communication printing, mailing, and transportation expenses to coordinate, advertise, advocate, and carry out events and programs, warehouse and office maintenance, supplies, and security expenses.
Your support will help KNMF continue to make a difference in the lives of the nation's largest homeless community - L.A.'s homeless and formerly homeless veterans and needy children.
Your support will not be forgotten by our nation's heroes and children in need or by KNMF.
IN-KIND DONATIONS FOR EVENTS
FOR PERSONAL CARE DAY STAND DOWN:
1 - New men's undergarments (t-shirts, boxer shorts, socks S, M, L, XL, and XXL) and shoes.
2 - Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Wet Ones clean-wipes, and Soap.
3 - Phone Cards, Personal Calendars and Organizers, Stationary and Postage Stamps.
4 - Veteran Transitional Housing needs: New Twin Sheet Sets, Full Sheet Sets, Twin/Full Comforter and Standard Pillows.
5 - New children's clothing and shoes or funding for Needy Kids Shopping Sprees.
6 - New child development games and materials, books, and school supplies, toys, sports equipment that promote literacy and character education, reading, writing, social science, science, health, language arts, math, technology, marine biology, music, arts, drama, visual performing arts, yoga, lacrosse, golf, basketball, and other sports, cooking and gardening.
7 - New Backpacks and School Supplies.
8 - Sponsorship of Personal Care Day Stand Down expenses rental trucks, tables, chairs, porto potties, waste management, disposable vinyl gloves, large clear bags, catered meals In-N-Out Trailer, etc.
FOR PERSONAL CARE DAY FOR VETERANS IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING:
1 - New men's undergarments (t-shirts, boxer shorts, socks S, M, L, XL, and XXL) and shoes.
2 - Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Wet Ones clean-wipes, and Soap.
3 - Phone Cards, Personal Calendars and Organizers, Stationary and Postage Stamps.
4 - Sponsorship of Personal Care Day Stand Down expenses rental trucks, tables, chairs, porto potties, waste management, disposable vinyl gloves, large clear bags, catered meals In-N-Out Trailer, etc.
Project Budget: $10,000 each event
FOR KIDS EVENTS:
1 - Matching funds for every $75, Mervyns will match with an equal amount @ $150 required per child and 100 kids per event funds will purchase new children's clothing, including sweaters, socks, undergarments, and shoes for the school year.
2 - Sponsorship for Meals, Theatres, Miniature Golf, Bowling, or other fund events in the area of the event.
3 - New Backpacks and School Supplies for 100 kids per event
Project Budget: $7,500 for the Shopping Spree - each event; $4,500 for Backpacks with supplies each event (Donors are secured to provide entertainment Chili's Restaurant for meals, AMC Theatres, and entertainment fun selected for the event)
With the generous support of donors, resources, and volunteers, KNMF has been able to help tens of thousands of needy individuals over the years by responding to their needs.
Personal identifiable information, including name, address, e-mail, and telephone/fax number provided by donors, volunteers, employers, colleges, trade schools, veteran service providers, or others is for the sole use of KNMF and will not be disclosed. KNMF's policy on non-disclosure of personal identifiable information went into effect on December 14, 1991.
For more information, please contact Doris Nickelson: Telephone (310) 545-2937 FAX (310) 939-7738 or Email for KNMF Info
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