Polly Klaas Foundation

The Polly Klaas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity organization devoted to preventing crimes against children, assisting in the recovery of missing children, and lobbying for legislative assistance. The foundation was formed October 23, 1993 to search for Polly Klaas. Its executive director is Robert De Leo.[1] It has expanded its mission and now searches for many missing children.

The Polly Klaas Foundation also provides kits for parents to teach abduction prevention in a way that they state is not scary for kids.[2] It distributes over 100,000 of these kits per year[3]

The Polly Klaas Foundation worked with Convio to send targeted letters to state and federal officials to implement Amber Alerts in all 50 states.

Marc Klaas, Polly's father, is not associated with this foundation. However, Polly's mother, Eve Nichol, serves on the board.

History

The Polly Klaas Foundation was created initially to search for Polly Klaas. After two years, the executive director, Gary Kinley, resigned with no explanation, and there was an analysis of financial problems in 1996.[4] The Polly Klaas Foundation has since recovered and has drastically increased its operating budget.[5]

The Polly Klass Foundation receives the majority of its donations via donated cars, through a partnership with Harvard Palmer Jr.'s Vehicle Donation Processing Center.[6]

Internet Predators

Part of the modernization of the Polly Klaas Foundation is its focus on internet safety. The Polly Klaas Foundation encourages parents to follow three steps:[1]

  1. Learn the internet with your child and become familiar with what the dangers are
  2. Create expectations that you're going to monitor your child's internet activity
  3. Let your children know that no matter what happens they can come to you if they get into trouble on the internet

KlaasKids Foundation

The KlaasKids Foundation was founded in 1994 in order to help prevent crimes against children. That foundation is directed by, and is the official organization representing the opinions of, Polly's father, Marc Klaas. Klaas formed the new foundation to permit him to engage in advocacy for stronger sentences for violent offenders, which the Polly Klaas Foundation is prohibited from doing.

Children

The missing children featured by the Polly Klaas Foundation include:

Other people

See also

Related literature

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Staying ahead of 'predators'". MSNBC. 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  2. ↑ "Take Action: Order your free Child Safety Kit today". Pollyklaasaction.org. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  3. ↑ "Polly Klaas Foundation". Convio.com. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  4. ↑ "Polly Klaas Foundation riddled with fiscal problems". Metroactive.com. 1996-04-03. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  5. ↑ "Polly Klaas Foundation". Guidestar.org. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  6. ↑ Schembari, James (2003-12-28). "Old Cars Can Become Good Deeds". New York Times. Retrieved 4 November 2013.

External links