WHO: Co-Founded by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run DMC and Sheila Jaffe, one of Hollywood’s most successful casting agents. WHY: Both Darryl and Sheila are adoptees who realize how fortunate they are in having been “taken home” and how many boys and girls do not have the same opportunities they had. Together, they formed THE FELIX ORGANIZATION in 2006 as a vehicle to give back to the many children who grow up without parents, who have no one to take them to the movies, to a ball game, to check their homework, to help them make healthy choices and set goals. MISSION: THE FELIX ORGANIZATION provides inspiring opportunities and new experiences to enrich the lives of children who are growing up in the foster care system. Camp Felix, a summer camp, is its signature but not solo initiative as Felix helps this community all year round with such projects as a Thanksgiving Feast-i-val, Secret Santa campaign, tickets to sporting events, theater tickets, and Beyond Camp mini-grants to help older youth aging out of foster care to follow their dreams. GOAL: To send approximately 200 children to CAMP FELIX for four weeks each summer in New York and 180 children to CAMP FELIX WEST in Los Angeles. CAMP FELIX is their very own camp that welcomes boys and girls ages eight to thirteen in the foster care system to a loving and supportive environment year after year. They receive consistent support and learn positive values with a sense of belonging. WHERE: CAMP FELIX is located on 350-acres of land in Putnam County, NY. The children participate in swimming, basketball, yoga, stargazing, arts and crafts, music, creative writing, dancing, campfires, a talent show and much more. CAMP FELIX WEST, launched in 2011, is located in Lake Hughes, California and is a four-day extended weekend camp. VISION: To create CAMP FELIX in other locations by using our successful model based on a value system of respect, positive action and goals. COST: $500 per child per week; $15,000 for one cabin for two weeks. NO DONATION IS TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL.
