Karen Clawson

"Encourage today's readers. Inspire tomorrow's leaders."

K is for Kids Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes children's literacy and leadership. Our teens and volunteers teach kids that reading is fun! Each year we partner with community leaders to engage children early and often about the excitement of reading and the power of words. From toddlers to teens, K is for Kids' mission is to give kids in need more books to read.

Since her children entered school, Karen D. Clawson has been the "can do" mom, publishing students' books, newsletters, videotaping them as reporters, sponsoring shows, contests, games (education in creative fun) and basically asking kids, "What's your idea? Let's do it!"

Volunteering in the school library, Clawson watched as scores of children came hunting for new books to read. To help meet challenge, Clawson began raising more books for kids in 2002, realizing how smart it is to donate books to libraries and other places where children gathered: One book could be read by many children for many years in shared environments! After other parents asked to pitch in, Clawson created the Bring a Book, Bring a Friend® Fun’raiser, an annual event where community members could connect while donating hundreds of books for the children to read. It was an immediate success.

Other organizations requested fun'raisers, so Clawson formed K is for Kids® Foundation in 2008 and expanded the Fun'raiser into K is for Kids® Bring a Book, Bring a Friend® for Children's Literacy Month. Held each February to coincide with Florida's high season, it's proclaimed by Florida's Governor Rick Scott, the Collier County Commissioners and Naples Mayor Bill Barnett.

To keep in tune with children's needs, Clawson created the Teen Advisory Team, the inspiration and energy fueling the Foundation's mission. Teens earn community service hours and get to see first-hand how their time and talents make a positive impact on their community.

Visit K is for Kids at: http://KisforKids.org facebook.com/kisforkids https://twitter.com/#!/kisforkids