How it started
My name is Matt Reed, and I'm the proud founder of the First Class Children's Foundation. For the past 15 years, I've dedicated myself to organizing numerous community events, all aimed at raising funds for local charities.
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In 2017, I established First Class with a vision to gain creative control in directing how the funds we raise directly benefit our community. Over the years, we've seen substantial local impact through our initiatives, mainly aimed at fostering literacy, creativity, and imagination among local children.
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Our flagship program, the Imagination Box, has been a resounding success. To date, we've distributed over 2,200 Imagination Boxes to students at CG Johnson, Oklahoma, Juniata, Wasson, and Clearfield Elementary Schools, sparking joy and curiosity in countless young minds.
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Additionally, our Imagination Station book vending machines, located in four of the mentioned elementary schools, have distributed over 12,000 books, further enriching the literacy landscape for local youth.
We also introduced the Legendary Box program to provide Christmas presents for children raised by single parents within the tri-county area. As of now, we've delivered over 100 boxes, each filled with gifts valued at around $250, ensuring a merry Christmas for many.
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In its third year, our KICKS By First Class initiative has adorned the halls of DuBois Middle School with brand-new Nike, Converse, and Jordan sneakers, with over 500 pairs donated to date.
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The Ripple Effect program has been transformative for the culture of DuBois Area High School, encouraging a new era of kindness through the recognition of random acts of kindness among students.
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Our primary fundraising efforts include the Cars & Pizza event, Labor Day Weekend Auto Show, and DuBois Shine, crucial for supporting our ambitious programs. Despite these efforts, our funding needs exceed our current capabilities, with much of our supplies for the Imagination Boxes sourced from donations by the generous local community and online wish lists.
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Thanks to the unwavering support of our community and sponsors, we've managed to donate over $200,000 worth of goods to local children in the past seven years. As we look to the future, we're excited by the endless possibilities for First Class. We remain committed to surpassing our past achievements and eagerly anticipate what lies ahead. Your continued love and support fuel our journey, and for that, we are eternally grateful.