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Kendall’s Kindness Fund

Established 2022

The Kendall’s Kindness Fund has been established by the Maffia family, in memory of their beautiful blue-eyed girl, Kendall Maffia. Kendall was kind, thoughtful, funny, smart and a talented young woman. She loved to be creative, loved to listen to all kinds of music, and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Kendall loved to bake, water and snow ski, be adventurous, and wanted nothing more than to make people feel important and loved. Kendall was always so thoughtful and generous with her time and talent.

Kendall was diagnosed with ADHD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent, moderate. She wanted to beat this and to be happy, she worked hard at group and individual therapy and was planning for the future. Unfortunately, on October 11, 2021 she lost her battle to suicide.

Kendall would want to be remembered for all the kind gestures that she did for others. She loved to bake treats and make bracelets, she welcomed new employees at work and asked if they wanted to go out for ice cream. Kendall always made sure everyone was having a good day and put others before herself. Kendall was the light in everyone’s eyes but unfortunately, she did not leave enough light for herself or feel the love others gave to her.

Kendall’s family is establishing a Kendall’s Kindness movement to promote the kindness that Kendall would want shared with others. They acknowledge that we all need to be present in the moment, limit our social media and enjoy our time with each other. To do this, they are asking that on the 12th of every month in honor of Kendall’s birthday June 12, 2000 everyone consider doing a random act of kindness. It could be as simple as giving someone a compliment or buying a cup of coffee for the person behind you. It is not about how much you spend or do, but how much you can change someone’s day by being kind. Take a break from social media that day, be present in the moment, put down your device, take a walk, play a game, and spend time with friends and family.

To learn more about the Kendall’s Kindness movement and pass it on to others, or to become an advocate promoting this movement, please email Kendall.Kindness@gmail.com, visit our website at www.KendallsKindness.com or tag us on Instagram @kendalls_kindness #kendallskindness.

The Kendall’s Kindness fund will be used to help fund mental health awareness and local suicide support groups. A scholarship fund has also been established with the Community Foundation, the Kendall’s Kindness Scholarship Fund, in memory of Kendall. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded yearly. Eligible students must plan to pursue an Arts degree at a 4-year college or university.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Education is important to us. We support causes that touch our lives and align with our values. We believe in paying it forward. We are here for a short time,, and it is the next generation that will take on what we leave behind.

Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

Give your gift of time and see what it means to the people you impact. Helping others is what life is all about.

Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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