Rite Aid Foundation awards grants through its Full of Thanks Holiday Program

The Rite Aid Foundation is marking “Giving Tuesday” by awarding more than $2 million to partner charities through its Full of Thanks Holiday Program. The holiday program provides $5,000 grants to more than 500 KidCents charities nationwide and has given away more than $6.5 million since it started in 2017. 

Organizations receiving awards this holiday season include a therapeutic riding center in central Pennsylvania and an Oregon nonprofit that focuses on using joy to uplift children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses. 

“Our KidCents partner charities embody Rite Aid’s commitment to be a caring neighbor in the communities we serve. There is no better time than ‘Giving Tuesday’ to show our appreciation to these organizations for all they do throughout the year,” said Jessica Kazmaier, president of the Rite Aid Foundation board of directors and chief human resources officer for Rite Aid. “This is our way to show we are full of thanks for our partners and the important work they do to provide kids with better lives, brighter futures and increased opportunities.”

Recipients of grants are focused on addressing children’s health and well-being issues in the markets that Rite Aid operates in. Recipients from the Full of Thanks program include:

• Children’s Cancer Association in Portland, Ore., which used music, friendship and nature to help uplift more than 30,000 children and adolescents with cancer and other serious illnesses last year and provided support to 270 families  facing the emotional and financial challenges of life-threatening pediatric illnesses;
• Leg Up Farm, Mount Wolf, Pa., which has worked with 700 children, teens and adults with special needs each year by bringing physical therapy, occupational therapy and more under one roof and providing 14,123 pediatric therapy appointments in the past year; 
• The Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, Detroit, Mich., which has supplied more than 150 children with coats and provided 110 backpacks filled with school supplies, and has helped 135 students receive physicals, dental screenings and eye exams; and
• Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, Dalton, Ohio, which serves youth and adults with physical disabilities and provided more than 1,500 pieces of adaptive equipment to enable athletes with physical disabilities to play sports, as well as partnered with six school districts to launch wheelchair basketball programs; and 
• EQUI-KIDS, Virginia Beach, Va, which serves roughly 90 children with special needs and disabilities each week through its therapeutic riding program and works with four elementary and middle school special needs classes. 

“We are grateful for the Rite Aid Foundation’s support on GivingTuesday and throughout the year,” said Regina Ellis, founder and chief joy officer of the Children’s Cancer Association. “Improving the lives of children, especially those battling a serious illness, requires commitment, relentless dedication and partnership. We are proud to have a powerful and committed ally like The Rite Aid Foundation to help us continue our important work.”