Blue Skies for Children

Mission

To raise hope and self esteem by sponsoring enrichment activities and other essentials for homeless, low-income and foster children in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

Description

Blue Skies for Children's Programs and Services

Little Wishes Programs
Our Little Wishes Enrichment Program grants Little Wishes for ongoing support of lessons and activities including, but not limited to, martial arts, team sports such as baseball, ice hockey, soccer, swim team, or football, and individual activities such as swim lessons, dance, ballet, gymnastics, ice skating, or horseback riding, as well as, art lessons, or music lessons such as piano, violin or guitar. (Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school - whichever comes first)

Our One-Time Little Wishes Program grants Little Wishes in support of school trip fees, summer camp enrollment fees, bicycle and helmet, special needs equipment, tutoring, computers, school related supplies such as a scientific calculator, or an ASB card (required to participate in school sports), sports fees and/or uniforms, cleats, and other items. The Little Wish requests we receive are unique to the needs of each child.
(Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school whichever comes first)

Our Little Wishes Instrument Loaner Program loans or rents musical instruments for children who wish to participate in their school band or orchestra, but find they are unable to afford the monthly rental cost of an instrument.
(Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school whichever comes first)

Distribution Programs
Our Shoe Give Program in partnership with Soles4Souls and our community, we distribute brand new shoes and socks to our local children in need. Item availability and sizes are dependent on donations received. (Typically offered in Spring)
(Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school whichever comes first)

Our Back-to-School Backpack Program provides children in need with a brand new backpack for the new school year. Size, color and availability depends on donations received.
(Typically offered in Summer) (Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school whichever comes first)

Our Winter Warm Up Program provides children in need with coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and blankets. Item availability and sizes are dependent on donations received. (Typically offered in Fall)
(Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school whichever comes first)

**********************************************
Our Driver's Education Scholarship offers an opportunity for a limited number of students who are 15 to 17 years of age to participate in a professionally licensed Drivers Education Program that may otherwise be unaffordable to them. The application process is competitive and requires an application, essay, letters of recommendation and a high school transcript. The scholarship availability, award amount, and annual distribution, varies by year and available funding. This is a competitive scholarship and available based on annual approved funding.

The Josh Fueston's Memorial Swim to Live Fund In memory of Josh Fueston, this fund has been established to support children in need who love to swim and wish to participate on a swim team, take swim lessons or in need of aquatic therapy. Blue Skies for Children acts as the administrator of this fund. (Ages 6 to 18th birthday or graduation from high school whichever comes first)