MaryAnne's Kids

Just like their friends, foster children want to experience all that life has to offer. MaryAnne's Kids makes that possible by supporting their dreams and interests.

Great Passions Take Root Early

MaryAnne’s Kids is a special fund that provides opportunities to foster children that would otherwise be out of reach.

By allowing kids to pursue their interests in music, dance, art, sports, summer camps, and extra-curricular education, we hope to light a spark that remains with them throughout life.

How it all Began

MaryAnne’s Kids was established in 2002 in memory of MaryAnne Sadak-Eklof, who cared for many foster children before passing away at the age of 46.

The MaryAnne’s Kids Fund (MAK) was created by her sister Eva Santaniello, who poured her heart into the program until passing away in 2007.

Today, the fund lives on through the many people touched by these loving sisters, the staff at CHD, and the foster children themselves. These are just a few of the dreams and milestones supported by this special program:

  • Driver’s ed
  • Formalwear for proms and graduations
  • Fees and uniforms for sports
  • GED courses
  • Children and teen workshops
  • Basketball camp and equipment
  • Transportation for a hard-working teen mom
  • A specialized bicycle for a child with partial paralysis
  • Birthday wishes (concerts, makeovers, pedicures, manicures)
  • School trips
  • Much, much more!

The MAK Fund is administered by CHD as part of our mission to support all children in our community.

Make A Donation

Support programs and services that change lives.

June 16, 2022

MaryAnne's Kids 20th Anniversary Celebration

Join us for a spring soirée celebrating the 20th anniversary of CHD’s MaryAnne’s Kids, a fund supporting youth and teens in foster care. Thursday, June
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Get Involved

Foster Programs

Kids of all ages are waiting for long- and short-term placements with loving families.

Volunteer to Become a Foster Parent

In Western Massachusetts, there are more kids waiting for homes than there are homes available. That’s where you can make a difference.

Donate to MaryAnne's Kids

Your support of MaryAnne’s Kids allows opportunities for children in foster care that would otherwise be unavailable to them. By providing these children the means to pursue special interests in music, dance, art, sports, summer camps and extra-curricular education, we hope to offer a positive influence that will remain with them throughout their lives.

Filling the gap with love

Founder and CEO of Pride Stores Bob Bolduc and his wife Roberta support the community in a variety of ways, their main focus being children, families, education, and people in serious need.

Over the past 20 years, the Bolducs have been major supporters of CHD programs, especially MaryAnne’s Kids.

 

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