In February of 2010, founder Jenny Kennedy came across an article that really inspired her. It was about a non-profit organization across the country who threw birthday parties for homeless children. Jenny decided that this was something she wanted to take on herself. After running the idea by her daughter, Shelly Marlowe, and her daughter-in-law, Jana Coffin, they decided to form Project MKC. Jana graduated from Capital University Law School and Shelly graduated from Youngstown State University with a Business Administration degree. The combination of Jenny’s determination, and the two daughter’s degrees and enthusiasm about the organization really helped get MKC off the ground. Together, they came up with a twist to the original article’s mission. They weren’t just going to do birthday parties, they were going to expand their mission to be able to reach out to individuals on a personal basis.They decided they didn’t want to just work with those in poverty, but with all children and their families who may need a helping hand. In September of 2012, Project MKC hired Colleen Eisenbraun. Project MKC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that believes every child deserves to feel special, regardless of circumstances. Our mission is to make the lives of children and their families a little brighter by focusing on individual needs with the help of volunteers. Our programs bring positive emotional experiences to children and their families by supporting everyday needs, boosting confidence, and lifting spirits. We will continue to expand our efforts to reach as many people as possible. Project MKC has a number of programs that enable them to further their charitable purpose in Mahoning County along with 8 other counties in Northeast Ohio. Our programs include but are not limited to: hosting birthday parties for children in shelters, providing gifts, blankets, and Hope Totes for patients at Akron Children’s Hospital of the Mahoning Valley, providing mothers with newborn baby bundles to help with some of their beginning necessities, providing over 1,000 Comfort Kits for children entering the foster system through Children’s Service Agencies, helping local schools by bringing in volunteers for special events, and providing over 100,000 diapers each month to our partner agencies. Our funding comes exclusively through donations we receive through the community and one hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to our programs. Through our unique variety of programs, Project MKC reaches over 10,000 children a year.
