It is with mixed emotions that we share that we have decided to close this chapter and end Kelly’s Wishes Foundation (KWF). We are so honored and humbled with the generosity you have shown over the last 15 years. KWF has played such a huge role in our healing process as a family and deepened our connection to this community.
Losing Kelly to Ovarian Cancer at such a young age was impossible to understand and accept. It was your love, support, kind words, meals, cards, and just being there that helped each of us through those difficult days. Your generosity is what led to the creation of KWF. With a desire to pay that goodness forward and honor Kelly’s memory, KWF was formed. Kelly Wishes supported initiatives dedicated to education, the environment, and healthy lifestyles.
Kelly’s memory will forever live on through the work you made possible over the years. Here are just a few highlights of the impact of your support.
Miller Creek Middle School Garden
Your support allowed middle school kids from every neighborhood throughout our community the chance to experience a full scale educational garden. Students learned the concept of farm to table and the importance of knowing where your food is grown. By tending to the garden and watching seasonal crops grow throughout the school year students got a real hands-on experience of the hard work and fun involved in growing plants and This year the garden is even starting a bee program as a direct result of KWF donations..
Mary Silveira School Pond
As a foundation, KWF used your donations to upgrade and maintain Mary E Silveira’s outdoor classroom. Through countless hours of landscaping and taking care of the turtles and fish (thanks to Cam and Pam) the pond continues to be a place where teachers can take their students to enjoy the natural surroundings, read, write poetry, and other activities that foster an appreciation for natural settings.
Can Do!
As an annual sponsor for Can Do! Run as One community event, your support helped support critical programs to the students of the Miller Creek School District. As a result of the Can Do! support, students were able to enjoy Elementary Art, PE, and K-2 Music & Movement personnel and supplies, Elementary Counseling Services, Miller Creek Middle School Counseling Services & a NEW Wellness Center, Lunchtime clubs at all sites, Environmental Sciences via the Garden at each site, and Technology for all!
McArthur Burney Falls Interpretive Association (MBFIA)
McArthur Burney Falls State Park was like a home away from home for 10 days out of every summer for our family and many other families. Canoeing on Lake Britain was always a highlight for Kelly. She loved the water and spent hours in it. Your donations helped the MBFIA to restart and operate a free Canoe program. This program has since provided hundreds of kids, adults, families the joy of discovering bald eagles and all that nature has to offer all while paddling through the calm beautiful waters.
TrailRider Adventures
Six Years ago KWF purchased the TrailRider, a specially designed wheelchair that gave people access to hiking trails and other wilderness adventures not accessible to standard wheelchairs. It has given people with disabilities within our community and beyond the ability to go places they never thought attainable. From trips up Queenstone Ridge to lunch stops along the Rush Creek waterway, the Trailrider has brought many smiles to the people on Trailrider trips. There is even a family that has used the Trailrider to hike the Skyline to the Sea trail, parts of the Tetons, and plans to hike the Ruby Mountains just outside Elko, Nevada this summer. Without the Trailrider this family would have had to end their annual family hikes due to a young family member who can no longer manage the trail due to a muscular disease. This is an experience that would not have been possible without your support of KWF and the TrailRider.
Marinwood Swim Team Scholarships
Being a Marinwood Waterdevil was a very important part of Kelly’s life and became a part of her identity as she grew up. Your support provided over 20 young people the opportunity to become a Waterdevil. As Waterdevils, they learned what it feels like to be a part of a team and the camaraderie and support that provides. They gained confidence by challenging themselves to work hard in training and give it their all in races. Some conquered fears of being in the water and all gained the lifesaving skill of learning about water safety. Most of all your support gave these kids the opportunity to have fun and build life-long friendships.
Support for individuals with health needs
Your donations allowed us to support many families over the years who had financial burdens due to sudden health conditions. This gets to the very core of how KWF began and we should all be proud that we still maintain this important part of our mission…helping people in their time of need.
Our final donation will be to the Marinwood Parks and Recreation Department. We will be donating the remainder of all of your financial support to rebuild the main park. This rebuild is in the planning stages and we feel this is the perfect last project for the foundation since Kelly loved playing in the park as a kid and so many of all of our children have spent countless hours growing, learning, and enjoying life in that great setting. There couldn’t be a better fit for the KWF mission, and we should all be proud that the KWF name will live on in spirit for the next generation of kids from both near and far can enjoy.
It is with deep gratitude and a few tears that we say thank you for being on this journey with us. Our lives have been forever changed over the last 15 years. We look forward to this next chapter of honoring Kelly within our family. We hope that you will continue to support our community by seeking out new opportunities. We are so much stronger together.
With love and gratitude,
The Case Family and the Kelly’s Wishes Foundation Board
Kelly’s Wishes Foundation (KWF), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, was created by the Case Family in honor of Kelly Case Moulton, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, friend, teacher, youth advocate, outdoor enthusiast, and lover of life.