It is hard to believe this is the 10th year we have asked for your support of the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Research" at Dell Children's Hospital. As you may remember, when Kate was born in 2002 she had to undergo major surgery to correct a condition known as Sagital Synostosis. The bones in her head had fused together, and she needed to have much of the top of her skull removed to allow her brain to grow. At the time we did not have the most state of the art children's medical facilities in Central Texas. Kate was operated on by the amazing doctors at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego (if you would like to donate to Rady Children's Hospital, we have established a similar fund for that foundation). Upon the opening of the new Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, we began donating money and fundraising to help with research for kids born with similar issues. Today, between the two endowments (Austin and San Diego), we have raised over $60,000. Let's help that grow! Please take a moment and donate any amount. We have proven over the years that small donations add up to real numbers (I call it "Compounded Generosity"). DONATE NOW (look on the pull down menu for Kate Singer Endowment). Thank you. Thom, Sara, Jackie and Kate Singer.
For the 8th year in a row our family is hosting a fundraiser for Cranio-Facial Research at Dell Children's Medical Center. As many of you know, Kate was born with a condition called Sagital Synostosis, and required surgery to rebuild her skull at age six-months. At the time there was no Dell Children's Medical Center in Central Texas, thus we had to search outside of our community to find the right doctors who would operate on Kate and give her a fresh start in life. Since the opening of Dell Children's our family has supported the hospital with regular donations and the hosting of this annual fundraiser.
We celebrate Kate, now age 13, each February by raising money to help others who are born with Cranio-Facial abnormalities. One might think that a small donation does not matter, but over time these fundraisers and our contributions have grown to over $50,000 at both Dell Children's and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Your support of this effort is making a lasting impact.
The Singer Family would like to say "Thank You" to everyone who supported our 7th Annual February Fundraiser for the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Research" at the Dell Children's Medical Center. As you may know, Kate (now age 12 and FABULOUS) was born with a medical condition that caused the bones in her skull to prematurely fuse. She underwent major surgery at age 6-months, and today is doing great. Our family donates a portion of the fees I earn as a professional speaker to a research endowment we created at both our local Children's Hospital in Austin and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego (where Kate had her surgery). Each February we invite our friends, family and others to donate to the cause. Over the years the two endowments have grown to about $40,000 (and we are not going to stop!). Our efforts at fundraising last month topped $2200. Donations from $10 and up all came together and added up to this meaningful amount. (It is not too late to donate... CLICK HERE). Thank you to all who supported the cause in 2014. Have A Great Day. thom singer
Kate was born with a condition called Sagital Synostosis, and required surgery to rebuild her skull at age six-months. At the time there was no Dell Children's Medical Center in Central Texas, thus we had to search outside of our community to find the right doctors who would operate on Kate and give her a fresh start in life.
Since the opening of Dell Children's our family has supported the hospital with donations and hosting this annual fundraiser.
We celebrate Kate each February by raising money to help others who are born with Cranio-Facial abnormalities. Thank you for your support of this great cause!
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” --Mother Teresa
Why do we give? In 2002 our youngest daughter, Kate, was born. Before she turned 6-months-old it was determined that she would need a serious surgery to correct the growth patterns of her skull. She had been diagnosed with a condition called Sagital Synostosis, which resulted in the bones in her head having fused together prematurely. As she grew, her head could not expand correctly, which was caused her skull to become mis-shaped. At that time the city where we lived, Austin, Texas, did not have a state of the art children's hospital. As we searched our options, we discovered that we may have to travel to find the right doctor to perform the surgery. Through a series of personal connections we ended up in the care of the fantastic doctors and staff at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego, California. After a three hour surgical procedure and several months of recovery, Kate was fine. The surgery was as success and the bones in her head had re-grown into the correct shape. Today is great, and has no ongoing issues from the ordeal. She was too young at the time to have any memory of what we went through -- although her mother and I will never forget. It was very scary, and we have come to realize how fortunate we are to have our two wonderful and healthy children. Like many who survive a rough episode, we longed to not allow the issues we faced to be for naught. We had felt very alone when Kate was diagnosed, and we wanted to find a way to help others who faced similar situations. There are many opportunities to contribute time, money and moral support to charitable causes, but at the time we did not have the financial resources to write a big check, and as we researched our options, it seemed as if there was no place in philanthropy for those who were not wealthy. We reached out to several organizations, and without large sums of money, none seemed interested in our intentions to serve a cause. In 2007 the new Dell Children's Medical Center opened its doors in Austin. A few months before the facility was dedicated I was introduced to a woman, Mandy Cloud, who worked for the hospital's foundation. She was the first person who showed a legitimate interest in our story, and my family's desire to support a cause that would help others. The hospital's foundation had several programs in which people could become involved that did not involve being a major donor. Together we came up with the idea of committing to an ongoing giving plan that would raise money for the "Cranio-Facial" research group at the new hospital. We created the Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Research, and my family pledged 5% of my speaking fees to be earmarked for this fund. I was not yet a full-time professional speaker at that point, and the pledge seemed small. But over time these donations, and some contriubitions from clients, friends and family, quickly brought us to the level of having a fully-funded endowment to the foundation. After we reached the donation level we had originally desired we had made the commitment to keep going. By this time I was full-time in the speaking business. With my own "start-up" company the 5% was much more noticeable in our personal budget. Our next step was to approach Rady Children's Hospital's Foundation and create a similar giving program. We moved our 5% donations to that fund, and once we reach the same level of giving we intend to split the giving into 2.5% for each hospital indefinitely. As of the time of this writing the combined amounts in the two endowments is over $25,000 between our giving and the generosity of others. This has been done over several years in small checks. Each time I get paid, we figure out the 5% and mail a check. Someday I will have earned over $1 million (over several years) in speaking fees, but if I had waited until that time to make a donation, the $50,000 would have been spent on daily life (that is a lot of Starbucks Coffee!). Instead, by making micro-sized donations over many years it is adding up to become a meaningful number. My wife and I do not come from families that have their names on the walls of hospitals. But by being committed to a cause for a long period of time, we have created something that has lasting meaning and will make an impact. At the time we started it seemed silly to send checks for $70 from time to time, but as my speaking career has grown, and the fees have gone up, we have come to realize that there is power in layering these small amounts consistently. Much like there is power over time in saving money for retirement, there is the same power in continuous giving. It feels good to know that over time the endowments have grown into something tangible. Too often charities only seek the "big fish" for donations, leaving those who do not have ample amounts of cash to feel they cannot make a difference. But you can make a difference. If you walked into any charity and wrote a $25,000 check they would be thrilled..... it should be no different if you make your contributions over time. We found that donating to an existing charity was easier than establishing a new charitable foundation. The paperwork was minimal. A one page promissory note (not even legally binding) was all that was involved. We do not have the ability to direct the funds, or how the interest from the money is spent, other than noting is should be used for the needs of the Cranio-Facial doctors at both hospitals. However, we trust the judgement of these two foundations, and they have come to make us feel important in how we support their cause. People at any financial level can create a planned giving program that will make a difference. If you want to give, do not anyone make you feel that you cannot have impact. Find the right charity whose mission looks long-term and who will treat you as a real donor. If they do not have a planned giving program in place, talk to them about creating one for you. If they are not interested, move on and find another organization who wants to become your partner in giving. Have A Great Day thom singer
Each year we celebrate Kate's Birthday with a fundraiser for our family's "giving endowment" to Dell Children's Hospital. We donate 5% of my earned speaking fees between two funds (one at Dell Children's in Austin and the other at Rady Children's in San Diego). Kate was born with a condition called Sagital Synostosis which caused the bones in her head to prematurely fuse. She was had surgery, and today is doing great. This year we raised $1980.00 from donations from friends, family, colleagues, and others who supported our 6th annual fundraiser. THANK YOU http://www.childrensaustin.org/cmcf/mf-kate-singer Have A Great Day. thom singer
Eleven years ago Kate was born with a condition called Sagital Synostosis, and required surgery to reconstruct her skull.
At the time there was no Dell Children's Medical Center in Central Texas, thus we had to search outside of our community to find the right doctors who would operate on Kate and give her a fresh start in life.
We donate 5% of all speaking fees that I earn to funds we have created at both Dell Children's Hospital and Rady Children's Hospital (where Kate was operated on in San Diego), and each February we celebrate Kate with this online fundraiser.
Today Kate is doing great, but one in 3000 children are born with some type of cranio-facial abnormality. We ask you to support the research for this important cause.
To celebrate Kate's 10th Birthday we are again hosting a fundraiser for the Cranio-Facial doctors at Dell Children's Hospital in Austin.
Kate was born with Sagital Synostosis, a condition that caused the bones in her head to fuse together. To correct this situation she underwent surgery to reconstruct her skull at age six-months.
We were fortunate, today Kate is fabulous. She is smart, funny, enjoys school, and brings a smile to all who know her.
When she was born there was not a state-of-the-art medical facility for children in Austin, Texas. She was treated by wonderful doctors at Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego. Since that time a new hospital has opened in Central Texas, and for the past five years we have supported the research efforts of these local doctors with the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery and Research" (In 2010 we began donating to a similar fund in San Diego).
We donate part of the fees I earn as a professional speaker, and each year on Kate's birthday we host this fundraiser. Please join us by making a donation of any size.
Thank you,
The Singer Family:
(Thom, Sara, Jackie and Kate)
Update: We raised 25% of the goal in the first 48 hours of February. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!
This was the 4th year that we celebrated Kate's Birthday with a fundraiser for Dell Children's Medical Foundation. Kate is now nine-years-old and doing great, but when she was six-months-old she had surgery to rebuild her skull to correct a condition known as Sagittal Synostosis.
A few years ago we established the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Research". We donate 5% of all speaking fees I earn in my career as a professional speaker to this fund and a similar fund at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Each February we ask our friends to help support this cause with donations of any size. Donations from $10 to $1000 were pooled together and we surpassed the fund raising goal for 2011 of $3000. This is the highest level in the four years we have been hosting this fundraiser.
THANK YOU for your support. The financial contributions and the "good vibes" sent by the readers of this blog help make a difference for other kids born with cranio-facial abnormalities.
To celebrate we are hosting a fundraiser for Dell Children's Medical Center. We are specifically raising money for the doctors who run the Cranio-Facial program.
Kate was born with Sagital Synostosis, and underwent major surgery as an infant.
Today she is great, but one in 3000 kids are born with cranio-facial abnormalities.
Donate Today. Any amount can help make a difference for kids that are born facing these types of issues. It matters to the kids and their families... we know.
****FYI, we donate part of all speaking fees I earn as a professional speaker to endowments at Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego.
Kate is turning nine-years-old and we are celebrating with a fundraiser for Dell Children's Medical Center.
I hope that if you are a regular reader of this blog, and find any value, that you will donate to this cause. Even $10 makes a difference!
Nine years ago Kate was born with SagitalSynostosis, a condition that caused the bones in her head to fuse together. To fix this situation she underwent surgery to reconstruct her skull. We were fortunate, today Kate is fabulous. She is smart, funny, enjoys school and dance, and brings a smile to all who know her.
When she was born there was not a state-of-the-art medical facility for children in Austin, Texas. She was treated by wonderful doctors at Children's Hospital of San Diego. Since that time a new hospital has opened in Central Texas, and for the past four years we have supported the research efforts of these local doctors with the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery and Research" (In 2010 we began donating to a similar fund in San Diego).
We donate part of the fees I earn as a professional speaker, and each year in February, to celebrate Kate's birthday, we host this fundraiser on my blog. Please join us by making a donation of any size.
The December 2010 issue of Money Magazine has a great article by Dan Kadlec about philanthropy. "How To Give Like A Billionaire" chronicles the things that Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg, and other uber-rich do when they support worthy causes. Recently Buffett famously urged his peers to give away half their wealth, and while the average person cannot part with half, there are lots of things we can do to have a greater impact in our charitable efforts.
Several years ago I approached a famous local philanthropist at a networking event and asked how I could help with a local cause, of which he was spear-heading the fund-raising efforts. He asked me if I could write a check for $10,000 (or more). When I replied "No", he turned his attention to others in the cluster of people, as if I had just evaporated into thin air. No "big check" meant I was invisible to this man and his cronies.
This exchange hurt my feelings and put a sour taste in my mouth about philanthropy for several years.
Three years ago I gave it another try. When I became a professional speaker and started earning extra money from my presentations, training workshops, and EmCee-ing events, my wife and I decided that we wanted to connect our successes to a worthy cause. We approached the Dell Children's Medical Foundation (the new Dell Children's Hospital was just opening its doors in Central Texas). We selected this charity because our youngest daughter, Kate, had been born with a medical condition that required major surgery when she was an baby. We had to look out of the area for the best level of doctors and facilities, because Austin did not have a "state-of-the -art" children's hospital at that time. With this new medical center, other families who faced similar issues in the future would not need to travel to find the best care.
The staff of the Foundation were wonderful, and helped us set up the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Research". We pledged 5% of the money I earn through speaking fees to this cause, and by making small donations consistently over three years the money has added up. This year we met our first giving milestone, and have directed our giving to a similar endowment at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego (where Kate received her treatment 8 years ago). When we reach an equal amount in donations we will split our efforts to 2.5% to each hospital into the future.
Had we given small amounts to many random charities (who call on the phone at dinnertime) we could never see the impact that our donations can have in the long run. By selecting one or two causes and being dedicated to the giving plan, you can better understand how your dollars add up over time.
The Money article sights several things that regular folks can do to borrow a few pages from the playbook for the super rich, and do more for favorite causes without giving away a fortune:
*Write bigger checks to fewer charities
*Plan out your giving for the year and take the time to research charities
*Give away highly appreciated assets
*Round up your like-minded friends and pool your charitable resources (we do a fundraiser on this blog every February to raise money and awareness for Dell Children's Medical Center).
*Work giving into your estate planning
*Open a donor-advised fund to spread your giving over time
*Give time to your favorite cause.
I hope that people will not feel that giving is reserved for the rich, and that negative experiences like I had with that wealthy "philanthropist" will not sour them on the idea of making a difference. Additionally I want charities to look beyond the "elephant hunting" tactics of seeking only rich donors. Seeking to make connections with average people who will consistently give, and then cherishing their contributions as much as they do the "big checks", can have an even greater effect on an organization than simply getting money.
We have found this is a great way to celebrate Kate's birthday each year, as our family knows how fortunate we are to have come through the issues with Kate's head eight years ago. We appreciate the support from the readers of this blog and the donations from $5 to $100 that were made to this cause.
We raised $1020 (so far... three days left to donate!!!) for research for cranio-facial abnormalities.
If you tried to donate and had issues.... feel free to try again. The Dell Children's Medical Foundation fixed the glitches in the program on their donation website.... so it now should be easier to make a donation. I had heard from several people that you had tried to donate, but could not.
1 in 1500 children are born with cranio-facial abnormalities. Our daughter was one of them.
Kate was born with with SaggitalSynostosis in 2002. She underwent surgery to re-shape her skull when she was six months old. Today she is eight years old and doing great.
In February, to celebrate Kate's birthday, we ask the readers of this blog to join us in raising money for this cause. Any amount helps the doctors discover new ways to treat children born with issues similar to what Kate faced.
So far this year we have raised $1015.oo in donations ranging from $5 to $100.
Would you please join us in trying to meet our February goal of $2000.00? DONATE NOW!!
Please help us celebrate by making a small donation to our third annual fundraiser for the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery and Research"
We established this endowment several years ago to assist local doctors with their efforts to treat children born with cranio-facial abnormalities.
It has been 7 1/2 years since Kate's surgery for SagittalSynostosis. We were very fortunate, which is why we donate 5% of the money that I earn from speaking fees.
I know that the recession has made times tough, and world events take a lot of priority for giving, but 1 in 1500 children are born with cranio-facial issues. Any amount you can donate goes a long way. $5, $10, $25, or $100 can make a difference.
Those who have read my blog for a long time know that in February is the month that readers are asked to make a donation to the Dell Children's Medical Foundation of Central Texas.
If you have ever felt that you received any value from visiting this blog, this is a great way "pay it forward".
It is part of the way my family celebrates the birthday of our youngest kiddo, Kate. She was born with a serious medical condition and today she is just fine. We know we were fortunate and supporting research is a small way to help other children born with cranio-facial abnormalities.
There are a lot of great causes that you can contribute to in this world, but I hope you will consider making a small donation to the research efforts of doctors helping children with cranio-facial issues. We know first hand that it is very scary for parents to face something like this when they have a new baby. We felt very alone. This is our way of hoping we can help other families who have to go through something similar.
Any amount you donate ($5, $10, $25, $100, etc....) makes a difference in the long run!
Take a moment to view the video below.
CLICK HERE for more information or to make a donation now.
For the second year in a row my family has hosted an "Online Social Media Fundraiser" for the Dell Children's Hospital Foundation.
As of this writing we have raised $1220 for the "Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Research" in honor of Kate's Birthday. She turned seven on February 2nd, and we feel very fortunate that she has continued to thrive throughout her life, having been born with SaggitalSynostosis, which required her to have reconstructive surgery on her skull when she was six-months-old.
All of the money donated has come from the readers of this blog, friends on Facebook, and those who follow me on Twitter. Donations from as little as $5 have pooled together to create a wonderful gift for the local hospital.
The power of the social media online communities continues to amaze me. I am touched by how many people supported our fundraiser to help such a good cause.
We appreciate your generosity.
You can still donate until Saturday, February 28th. Lets move the bar a little higher. Last year we hit $1700.
Please consider making a donation to the Dell Children's Medical Foundation in Kate's name to celebrate her 7th birthday. Even a small amount helps the hospital in their efforts to treat children who face a variety of medical issues. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!
Kate turns seven-years-old this week, and she is thrilled. She has been planning for the big event for a whole year (she begins preparing immediately after eating cake on the previous birthday). Kate is a beautiful girl who was born with a medical condition known as SagitalSynostosis, where the bones in her head had fused together prematurely. This was a tough time for our family.
At six months old Kate underwent major surgery to remove part of her skull and reconstruct her head. Today she is doing great. The bones grew back and she (hopefully) will never have any side effects from the ordeal. Kate is happy, smart, healthy and a true enthusiast for life. She has no memory of the surgery -- her mother and I will never forget.
We were fortunate that it has all worked out so well. Our family now donates a portion of my speaking fee every time I am hired to speak professionally. We started the Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery at the Dell Children's Medical Center to help fund cranio related research in Austin.
(Kate was treated by the wonderful doctors at Children's Hospital of San Diego. Since that time a new state-of-the-art hospital has opened in Austin. Now, children born in Central Texas do not have to travel across country to find top level medical services!!!!Our plan is to one day establish a similar endowment for the hospital in San Diego).
I would like to ask the readers of this blog and my other friends to donate this month in support of a great cause. Every little amount can make a difference. $5. $10, $25, $100, $250. Together we can assist others who will face similar issues in the future.
I am hoping that we can raise more money than we did last year. In 2008 together we raised $1700 for the Dell Children's Medical Center Foundation. Let's do more in 2009.
*****UPDATE - On March 1st we reached the February fundraising goal of $1,000 for the Children's Hospital in Austin, Texas. Thank you to all the readers of this blog who made donations, large and small. HAPPY LEAP DAY
I have always loved February 29th. It is just cool cuz it is unique.
One reader emailed me and said she was happy to donate because she easily gets $25 of value from reading the posts on this blog. WOW, that made me smile.
The goal was $1000 for the hospital in the month of February. While I am thrilled with $670, we have this extra day because of Leap Year, so I am going to make one last plea for your help.
To impact the world of charities/non-profits, you do not need to be a millionaire. Just regular folks who will contribute little amounts make a big difference.
Your helping me raise $1000 through small amounts of cash will not have a material effect on the overall research at a large hospital, but what if 1000 people found a way to raise that same sum of money? Now that is HUGE.
We all make a difference. No one individual is insignificant when we work together.
Thank you for clicking here and reading about The Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery and making a contribution to help these amazing doctors in Central Texas with their good works.
****UPDATE - On Feb 29th the amount moved to $745 that has been raised. Keep it coming. just $255 more and we hit the goal .... and that would be way cool.
UPDATE*** So far in February together we raised $660 for The Dell Children's Medical Foundation's Cranio-Facial Surgery Team. I am still pulling for $1000. Your small donation will really help. $25 from just a few people will take us to the goal.
Please consider making a donation to the Dell Children's Medical Foundation in Kate's name to celebrate her sixth birthday. Even a small amount helps the hospital in their efforts to treat children who face a variety of medical issues. CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!
Kate turns six-years-old this week, and she is thrilled. She has been planning for the big event for 364 days (she begins preparing immediately after eating cake on the previous birthday). Kate is a beautiful girl who was born with a medical condition known as Sagital Synostosis, where the bones in her head had fused together prematurely. This was a tough time for our family.
At six months old Kate underwent major surgery to remove part of her skull and reconstruct her head. Today she is doing great. The bones grew back and she (hopefully) will never have any side effects from the ordeal. Kate is happy, smart, healthy and a true enthusiast for life.
We were fortunate that it has all worked out so well. My family now donates a portion of my fees every time I am hired to speak professionally. We started the Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery at the Dell Children's Medical Center to help fund cranio related research in Austin.
(Kate was treated by the wonderful doctors at Children's Hospital of San Diego. Since that time a new state-of-the-art hospital has opened in Austin. Now, children born in Central Texas do not have to travel across country to find top level medical services!!!!).
I would like to ask the readers of this blog and my other friends to donate this week in support of a great cause. Every little amount can make a difference. $5. $10, $25, $100. Together we can assist others who will face similar issues in the future.
Click hereto donate directly to the Children's Medical Foundation on-line.
PS - Kate no longer requires medical care and the Kate Singer Endowment for Cranio-Facial Surgery was created to help the medical programs at the Dell Children's Medical Center with research and other needs so they can do the great works that they do to help other children who face similar issues.
