KIDOs will be hosting their fifth fundraiser in support of Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children and Families on Saturday, December 7.

The Wishing Well Gift Shop, at 107 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook, will make room for a little sales competition from the eighth graders, who will be offering holiday treats in return for a small donation during the evening’s tree lighting ceremony.

Kids In Deed Organization (KIDOs) is a group of seven Newtown Middle School students who have committed to raising money for the Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children and Families in Danbury. Healing Hearts, a program of Regional Hospice and Home Care, providing free grief support to Newtown families since 12/14. Healing Hearts has also been offering similar support to thousands of other families throughout Connecticut since 1995. 

The group, according to Janis Hogan at Regional Hospice and Home Care, have made the commitment to raise another $25,000 to pay for the children’s playscape for the new Hospice Residence currently under construction in Danbury.

Immediately following 12/14, Ryan Patrick, then 12 and already a student at the middle School student, ordered and then began selling blue wristband with yellow lettering. He eventually raised more than $24,000 for the Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children and Families to support the bereavement programs that Healing Hearts provides free to families who lost loved ones at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Ryan recently encouraged several of his friends to join him in his philanthropic efforts, and they began meeting after school, in between sports and homework. Together they started KIDOs, a fundraising organization to support Healing Hearts. Ryan has been joined by Greg Brissette, Caroline Condon, Josh Dunn, Brian Montoya, Allie Paynter and Ashley Santore, all of Newtown, in the effort.

One of the group’s first events was in October, when members made and then sold Halloween bags at Newtown Youth Academy.

In November they collaborated with Newbury Place in Southbury. The store donated 15 percent of its revenue generated from customers who mentioned KIDOs all day on Tuesday, November 12.

The young adults then spent a few hours offering gift wrapping in exchange for donations on Saturday, November 23, at Barnes & Noble in Danbury Square.

Upcoming Events

Festivities for the Sandy Hook Tree Lighting ceremony this year will begin at 4 pm. The Wishing Well is in Betts Square, in the lower level.

In addition, KIDOs will be running a Candy & Ornaments Sale at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, following each Mass on Saturday and Sunday, December 7-8. They will then be at Queen Street Gifts & Treats, running a Candy & Hot Chocolate Sale, on Fridays, December 13 and 20, from 10 am to 6 pm.

KIDOs will host their sixth fundraiser in support of Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children and Families on Monday, December 30, at Peachwave, the frozen yogurt shop at 48 South Main Street.