UF PRSSA partners with Connect Our Kids for holiday campaign

UF PRSSA members Celeste Mahfood, Valentina Pinzon and Christine Skofronick participating in the #FosteringFamilyTraditions campaign at our holiday social event

As part of our community service project, UF PRSSA partnered with Connect Our Kids (COK) for the second year in a row. This year, we helped COK with its #FosteringFamilyTraditions campaign.

COK is a non-profit organization that aims to bridge the gaps in technology in the foster care system. The #FosteringFamilyTraditions campaign is a nationwide effort to raise money throughout the holiday season so COK can develop intelligent software that will dramatically improve the family recruitment process.

UF PRSSA encouraged members and their friends to publish a brief video or photo on social media to share their family holiday traditions, donate $6 and ask six friends to do the same.

Andrea Mora, VP of Chapter Development, organized a committee to help with graphics, recruit friends and family to participate, and help people take their videos and photos at our holiday social.

Andrea Mora, VP of Chapter Development, holding the raffle jar and gift cards

“I loved having the opportunity to be a part of this campaign,” Ashtyn Steele, UF PRSSA member, said. “It allowed me to grow in experience and contribute to a cause that positively affects children in foster care.”

UF PRSSA secured gift cards to Mi Apa, Gator BTW and Gator’s Dockside for participants to win in a raffle at our holiday social event. For every #FosteringFamilyTraditions post a member published on each of their social media platforms, one ticket with their name was entered in the raffle. The winners of the raffle were Christine Skofronick (twice!) and Taylor Hadden.

Last year, Give BIG America, Connect Our Kids’ national fundraising campaign, raised $25,000. This year, UF PRSSA wanted to help COK continue that momentum. We thank COK for allowing us to support its mission to change the lives of foster children across the country.

“By sharing my family tradition, I realized that not everyone is fortunate enough to experience their own traditions,” Rosa Medina, UF PRSSA member, said. “Raising awareness and raising funds for this cause was a great idea.”

UF PRSSA members Carly Rogers and Taylor Hadden posing for their #FosteringFamilyTraditions campaign photo

Written by Amanda Carr

Photos by Amanda Carr