Kayla Cares 4 Kids Delivers 10,000 Children’s Items to 84 Hospitals with Livingston’s Help (Tap Into Livingston)
January 21, 2016 4:20 pm
LIVINGSTON, NJ — Kayla Cares 4 Kids, a 13-year-old girl’s mission to “help sick kids feel better one smile at a time,” has officially reached all 50 states, delivering more than 10,000 items to 84 hospitals. The award-winning non-profit organization, which was started by Livingston resident Jill Kravis’ niece, Kayla Abramowitz, collects entertainment and educational items to contribute to children’s hospitals.
According to Kravis, collection boxes are currently set up at Livingston Police Headquarters, West Essex YMCA, Andy’s Family Music Center, Florham Park Starbucks, Roseland Starbucks, Livingston Community Center, Florham Park Diner, Dunkin Donuts at on West Mt. Pleasant Ave., East Hanover Starbucks, Dr. Anthony Quartell at 316 Eisenhower Parkway, and PM Pediatrics at 571 West Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Livingston.
Although the Abramowitz family initiated this cause in Fla., its efforts have reached many facilities in the New York-New Jersey area, including Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. Kayla’s extended family in Livingston believes that the more people who know about Kayla Cares 4 Kids, the greater impact the organization can have both in New Jersey and nationwide.
“[We have seen] absolutely remarkable growth in two years,” Kravis announced over the summer. “With our community’s help, which gave enough DVDs and electronics at National Night Out alone last year to support eight local hospitals, we can accomplish so much more.”
Kayla, who was born with Crohn’s Disease and Juvenile Arthritis, began Kayla Cares 4 Kids on her 11th birthday in 2013 with a vision of helping other children, like herself, who spend endless hours in the hospital. Kravis is bringing her niece’s mission to Livingston by setting up collection boxes at local facilities and many local events.
By Danielle Santola of Tap Into Livingston