News

Congratulations to Asha Persaud

Recipient of FUND IT FORWARD'S 2016 The Spirit of the Community Award

Asha Persaud, Executive Director of The Hope Learning Center, was nominated and awarded the 2016 Spirit of the Community Award. Asha consistently surpasses expectations in her pursuit of excellence in the field of therapy, education and resources for those with special needs. Nine years ago Asha founded The Hope Learning Center, a pediatric outpatient therapy center offering Speech, Occupational and Physical therapies. Today, she has expanded that center into a private academic school (Hope Academy), an early learning and child enrichment center (The Hope Early Learning Center), and a non¬profit foundation (Hope for Autism Foundation). Through all of these ventures Asha has brought a facility to life for families with special needs children who require a level of accessibility of multidisciplinary services and now have one place to get all of their needs fulfilled. Asha is an advocate for those who need it most, the children. No matter the need Asha consistently will find a way for the child to get the services they require. Asha is an exemplary model of leadership for her staff, through leading by example and putting in the work alongside her staff, she is a true member of her team at Hope, she is a model of what leadership is.

Asha's ambitions, leadership, and talents complement the community of past recipients of The Spirit of the Community Award which honors leaders that give their time, talent and resources to help raise awareness for the special needs community.

[LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD AND PAST RECIPIENTS]

Congratulations to Katie Harrill

Recipient of FUND IT FORWARD'S 2016 Making a Daily Difference Award

The Making a Daily Difference Award is bestowed on professionals who change the lives of children with special needs and their families. Katie, Creative Arts Supervisor/Music Therapist, Wesley Spectrum Academy, leads and created the Creative Arts Program at Wesley Spectrum 17 years ago and has single-handedly impacted hundreds of families over many years. She teaches music to kids and youths with special needs. Many are non-verbal but as the quote that she has on her door says, "music expresses what words cannot." For the past nine years she has put on a recital for these kids - these families - who otherwise wouldn't see their kids on a stage. Katie not only gets them on the stage but gets them to perform. It's not uncommon to see parents crying for joy and for surprise at what their kid does. The Program incorporates movement and drama now, because Katie knows that both are so beneficial for the kids. She is patient and kind and so knowledgeable about this special life and the struggles and tears shed. She is treasured by hundreds and hundreds of families.

[LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD AND PAST RECIPIENTS]

2016 Gala Was a Huge Success

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016
LeMont, 1114 Grandview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15211

Visit us on Facebook for video coverage and many pictures.

We thank all who attended and especially our sponsors:

Wickedly Wonderful: Pittsburgh Magazine, Lamar
Mischievously Magnificent: Abram's Bed – Maker of the Safety Sleeper
Dastardly Delightful: First Commonwealth Bank, Hefren-Tillotson, Krebs Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Quinn Logue LLC and Sean Logue & Associates
Terribly Terrific: Thomas F. Carmen, M.D.

[LEARN MORE ]

5 Tax Deductions & Credits For Special Needs Families
Parents of children with special needs often have unique financial concerns, and one way to ease those concerns is to reduce their tax burden. There are many tax deductions and credits available that parents may not be aware of. Here are 5 useful tax deductions and credits for parents of children with special needs.

[ READ FULL ARTICLE ]

We are proud to announce:
Fund It Forward has been approved to receive funds through the United Way of Allegheny County Campaign. UWAC is a part of a local movement of thousands of donors and volunteers with a common goal: To address critical issues for people in need.

[ PRINT PLEDGE FORM ]

And you can make a special child smile.
It is that easy. A one-minute setup on your side will benefit many special needs families over time. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Fund It Forward every time you shop, at no cost to you: When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligable products to Fund It Forward.

[ CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW IT WORKS ]

Pine Richland Educators participate in Awards Program hosted by Fund it Forward
Pine Richland School District 2015

Fund It Forward: A local mother makes it her mission to help families of children with special needs
Pine Richland Magazine, May 2015

>> Read article

February 27, 2015: Click here for full coverage

Pine Creek Journal features FUND IT FORWARD's Awardee
February 2015

>> Read full article here

FUND IT FORWARD is a 20015 FAST PITCH Finalist - Vote for us!
Tuesday, March 3 - 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Circuit Center & Ballroom, 5 Hot Metal St, Pittsburgh, 15203

[ MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT ]      [ BUY TICKETS AND VOTE FOR FUND IT FORWARD ]  

SPRING FORWARD 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, March 22
North Park (at the Boat House), Pittsburgh
[SIGN UP / REGISTRATION]     [DOWNLOAD / PRINT FLYER]    

A Wicked Good Time Gala to Raise Money for Children's Medical Equipment

— Click here for pictures of the event.
- Click here for article about the Gala, published in North Hills Monthly Magazine, November 2014
- Watch video

Congratulations to Pittsburgh's 2014 "40 under 40"!

Announcing: "A Wicked Good Time Gala"
Award Nominations accepted now through August 22, 2014

The highly anticipated annual FIF Gala returns for a sophisticated night reminiscent of the musical Wicked. Come expecting the exquisite preparations from the award winning chefs, superb cocktails, and the unmatched beauty of the Duquesne Club while enjoying unique entertainment and silent auctions. Black tie is optional.

Nominations for FUND IT FORWARD's 2014 "Making A Daily Difference" and "Spirit of the Community" Awards are accepted through August 22. The awards will be presented during the Gala on November 15, 2014.

Click here for the nomination form.               More information about the Gala.

FiF News: Sign up to receive our email newsletter

Our latest newsletter covers upcoming events (The FiF Fiesta at MadMex on May 20), features a child in need and a success story as well as provides the article "Planning For Your Special Needs Child's Financial Future" by financial advisor Robert N. Rodgers.

Send us an email if you wish to receive future newsletter.

"Inside Wexford" (February 2014 edition) reports:

Read full article...

Wexford Elementary teacher honored for special education work
By Rachel Farkas, Dec. 18, 2013, 9:00 p.m.

A special education teacher at Wexford Elementary School was recognized for her daily efforts to change the lives of special needs children. Tara Hillegas, 29, received the Making a Daily Difference award from Fund It Forward, a nonprofit that purchases adaptive equipment for children with special needs. The Making a Daily Difference award was created to recognize professionals who change the lives of children with special needs and their families. “I was really honored to be nominated for something that I do every day,” Hillegas said. “Really, a lot of it has to do with the people I work with too. I'm just one person, but it really takes a team to meet the needs of all these kids. “I'm grateful to be working with a great support staff… I couldn't do my job without them.”

Read full article...

Donations aid boy who lost medical equipment in fire

Individuals, organizations and companies have reached out to help replace medical equipment a 2-year-old boy needs after everything was burned in a house fire. A North Union Township family lost all of their belongings when their apartment burned Sunday. Firefighters said it was likely an electrical fire, but the fire marshal is investigating. Two-year-old Richard Wingard III was born with cytomegalovirus. He relies on medical equipment to support his body when he stands and sits. A local mother donated her son's wheelchair to the Wingard family, but a special pediatric bed was still needed. Rose Morris, chairman for Fund it Forward, worked with local families and companies to gather donations. Specifically, the family will receive The Safety Sleeper, which will provide a tent-like surrounding for Richard to sleep in.

Read full article...

Click here for pictures and more information.

Fund It Forward will be giving out two awards at its Pittsburgh Gala in November.

The Spirit of Community Award
created to recognize a community leader that gives their time, talent and resources to help raise awareness for the special needs community.
The Making A Daily Difference Award
created to recognize professionals changing the lives of children with special needs and their families.

You can nominate a person for one of these categories by filling out the Nomination Form

FUND IT FORWARD Co-Founder featured in Pittsburgh Magazine July 2013 edition



Women in Business Profiles: Rose Morris, President and Founder of Abram's Bed
"I feel so fortunate meeting these other families (with special needs children) - every child has a unique need and a specialized piece of equipment can change a life....I would not have been able to help others in this way if I didn't have Abram."

FUND IT FORWARD Co-Founder and Safety Sleeper President Rose Morris Receives Pittsburgh's 2013 Community Service Award
Pittsburgh, April 8, 2013. During the 5th Pittsburgh Entrepreneur Conference, Rose received the 2013 Community Service Award of Pittsburgh for her extraordinary work with the non-profit organization FUND IT FORWARD which helps families with special needs children to obtain expensive medical and adaptive equipment.

Maddison H. received Bike of her Dreams
Pittsburgh, PA, March, 2013 — Our recent Mad Mex fundraiser was a huge success complete with amazing Mexican food, a balloon artist, and a special little girl named Maddison receiving the bike of her dreams! Many thanks to those who supported Fund it Forward that evening. Because of your generosity and big hearts, many children and families will now have a better quality of life.

Check out the interview of FUND IT FORWARD Co-Founder Rose Morris on "Bridges"
Brad Hilbert from Three Rivers Wealth Management talks to Rose about how FUND IT FORWAD came to be.
For more information about TRWMG's "Bridges" please visit www.trwmg.com

Click here for pictures and more information.

Successful Fundraiser at Pittsburgh's Penn Brewery
Pittsburgh, PA, October 10, 2011 — FUND IT FORWARD had a successful first fundraiser at Penn Brewery’s We Care Wednesday on Oct. 5, 2011  The night brought our organization $1135.50 to help kickoff our mission to help special kids fund special equipment.  Attendee Mashel Rathmell won the Date Night gift basket.  Thank you to all the family, friends, and co-workers who came and supported our first Pittsburgh event. 

“We are excited to have our first fundraiser event here at Penn Brewery,” said Rose Morris, FUND IT FORWARD founder and chairperson. “We are glad our organization is up and running as we prepare for our first Pittsburgh founder’s event in March.”   Look for more details about our Pittsburgh founder’s event coming soon!

FUND IT FORWARD to benefit from Penn Brewery's "We Care Wednesday"
Pittsburgh, PA, September 2011 — Fund special equipment for special kids with us on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm by dining at Penn Brewery Restaurant in Pittsburgh. FUND IT FORWARD will earn back 20% of all food & beverage sales (walk‐in and take‐out!) if you present this flyer to the restaurant when paying.
– Print / Download Flyer (PDF)
– View Press Release (PDF)

Help Spread the Word, "Like" and "Follow" us!
September 9, 2010 — We are happy to be a growing community. With 289 Facebook friends and 73 followers on Twitter. Please check us out on:      

FUND IT FORWARD Receives Non-Profit Status
Norton, OH, September 2011 — Fund It Forward is excited to announce that with the approval of our 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status we can now begin the process of providing adaptive and medical equipment to improve the
quality of life for special needs families.
– Read full press release (PDF)

FUND IT FORWARD Co-Founder Rose Morris Honored as One of Pittsburgh's "40 under 40"
Pittsburgh, PA, September 2010 — Pittsburgh Magazine recognized Rose Morris as one of 40 people under the age of 40 who are committed to shaping the Pittsburgh region and making it a better place for everyone.
– Online article

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