M4MK 2021 was a SUCCESS!
Miles for Mitrata Kids has officially come to a close. We could not be more grateful for all of those who fundraised and donated this year. We also want to thank our many events sponsors: Bayer, NPT Cyber Security, Mercy, Object Computing, Stifel, Big Shark St. Louis, Bike Stop Cafe, and The Bryant Corner Cafe & Bakery. As most of you know, we were fundraising for our early childhood center, the Contact Center. Our Contact Center provides 3-10 years old with an educational foundation in a nurturing, loving environment, similar to the Montessori model. The children enter at the preschool level, are taught basic skills, including reading, writing and an introduction to English. They are also provided with hygiene education, health care, and two high-quality protein-rich meals each day.
Studying in the Contact Center during COVID-19
This past year, the Contact Center has served additional purposes. When schools went online, the Contact Center was used to distribute emergency packs and school supplies to our most at-risk families. Currently, it serves as a meeting point for small, socially distanced classes for tutoring kids and for building and distributing emergency packs. The Contact Center also serves as temporary housing and an isolation space while the older children returning to Kathmandu from their villages are tested for COVID-19 awaiting reentry into school hostels. In short, during this time when many of our children suffered from limited food and other necessary resources and unstable housing situation, the Contact Center has been absolutely invaluable.
The nearly $25,000 raised through M4MK in 2021 will go towards restocking these supplies in the Contact Center, preparing our children for the new school year, and continue proper sanitation measures, social distancing, and small group meetings are needed in order to keep our staff and kids safe and healthy.
All in all — it’s safe to say that M4MK was a success this year, but what do our team captains have to say?
Miles for Mitrata Kids was a great success in 2021, with Team St. Louis exceeding our goal by over $1,000! I am deeply grateful to all the participants and the many donors who supported their fundraising efforts. Your hard work and generosity will help fund the reopening of the Contact Center and will replenish the supplies that were depleted as resources were distributed to families during the pandemic. The children we support will directly benefit from your acts of kindness. Thank you!
— Danny Williger, Team St. Louis captain
Danny by the St. Louis Arch
The 2nd year of Miles for Mitrata Kids (M4MK) raised the bar by exceeding the fundraising of the first year - and we are thrilled to announce we will collect over $30,000. For the 2nd year in a row, Team St Louis has (begrudgingly) outraised Team Seattle, despite our dogged efforts. Yet Team Seattle had great spirit, with a myriad of exercise goals: Walking, hiking, slithering (ask Yogesh), and even two team members jumping rope. We seek revenge on Team St Louis in 2022, noting that nice guys finish second. Wait, that's us.
Donations came from all over - past participants, friends of Mitrata, child sponsors - and the children of Mitrata and the Contact Center benefit greatly from the continued generosity of all the donors. A big thanks to all who contributed to the rousing success of M4MK - and let's keep the fire burning bright next year. And beyond.
— Len Kannapell, Team Seattle captain
Len by the Space Needle