KIDS FIRST! News

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing KIDS FIRST! Community!

Our annual online silent auction officially wrapped up at midnight last night, and we are absolutely thrilled, humbled, and deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of support!

Whether you placed a last-minute bid, claimed a winning treasure, shared our auction link with your network, or made a direct cash donation—THANK YOU. You stepped up to the plate, and your generosity blew us away. From fierce bidding wars over the Choose Your Own Adventure book collections to massive enthusiasm for our rare art, animation cels, and unique experiences, it was an incredibly fun and exciting ride to the finish line.

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to the wonderful donors who generously gave their art, books, tickets, collectibles, and professional services to populate our catalog. We couldn’t have done this without you!

As you know, every single dollar raised goes directly toward our mission of turning Art and Experiences into Youth Education. Your contributions fund our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics and Film Festival programs. Because of you, we can continue training the next generation of youth to be critical media users, while delivering outstanding, enriching films to kids and families worldwide.

What’s Next for Winners: If you won an item or an experience, keep an eye on your inbox! Our auction team is officially working on fulfillment and will be reaching out to you shortly via email to finalize your shipping addresses and details.

Missed Out? It’s Not Too Late! Did you get outbid at the last second? Or did you miss the midnight deadline altogether? Good news: you can still take home a treasure while supporting KIDS FIRST! We have a select number of fantastic items—including rare books, unique collectibles, and art pieces—that didn’t receive bids before the clock ran out. In fact, one of our wonderful art buyers already reached out this morning to claim an extra piece directly! If you’d like to browse our remaining inventory and make a direct purchase to support our youth media literacy programs, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Let’s turn these remaining items into incredible opportunities for our youth critics!

We are so proud of what this community can accomplish when we come together. Thank you for standing with us, believing in our youth reporters, and helping us make a lasting impact.

With our deepest gratitude,

The KIDS FIRST! Annual Auction Team

Robin Greenberg, Ranny Levy, Evie Kaatz, and Nancy Kenney

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The clock is ticking! ⏰ Only 5 days left to claim your exclusive treasure and support the next generation of youth voices!

Bidding for our KIDS FIRST! Annual Auction officially closes this Monday, June 15 at 11:59 pm MDT. Don’t miss your chance to own rare, one-of-a-kind collector’s items while directly funding our incredible youth Film Critics and Film Festival programs!

Browse the Full Catalogue & Bid Here
(And please share this link with your network to help us spread the word!)

Auction Highlights:

• The Don Hahn Animation Trio: Three original drawings of Pumbaa & Kronk sketched live by the Disney Legend at a KIDS FIRST! workshop in Burbank. Bid here.
• Autographed Godfrey Reggio Poster & Tote: Personally signed by the internationally renowned filmmaker himself! Bid Here
• Little Jeff Ventriloquist Figure: A professional-grade figure designed, sculpted, and autographed by Jeff Dunham. Bid Here
• Choose Your Own Adventure (40 Books): The ultimate “Whole Enchilada” set of the 4th bestselling children’s book series of all time. Bid Here
• Ultimate Hollywood Power Lunch: Two hours of insider access with Kenn Viselman, the visionary “Brand Architect” behind Teletubbies. Bid Here

And so much more! Filter by category or click “Show all Items” on the site to find treasures for every budget.

Pro-Tip: Use the “Buy It Now” option on available items to skip the bidding war and secure your treasure instantly!

Your bids and support mean so much to us. Thank you for helping to spread the word and make a lasting impact together!

With deep gratitude,

Robin Greenberg, Evie Kaatz, Nancy Kenney and Ranny Levy

KIDS FIRST! Annual Auction Team

We are thrilled to announce that our Entertainment Category is now fully loaded with rare opportunities for thrill-seekers, dance lovers, and collectors alike. Whether you want to skip the lines in Hollywood or experience the magic of the theater from the best seats in the house, these five items are ready for your bids:

• Universal Studios Hollywood Express Passes (2): Go straight to the front of the line! Experience the ultimate theme park day with Universal Express, including one-time express access to each ride, attraction, and seated show.
• Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance (2 Sets of Box Seats): See the Dancing with the Stars legend at the historic Wang Theatre in Boston . We are offering two separate sets of 2 box seats for an unparalleled view of this high-energy “Encore” tour.
• “Little Jeff” Professional Ventriloquist Figures (2): A dream for comedy fans! We have two professional-grade figures of Jeff Dunham’s “Little Jeff.” One is even signed by Jeff Dunham himself.

Bid Now on the Entertainment Collection (https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction)

Every bid supports the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, helping the next generation of entertainment journalists find their voice.

Dear Friends,

This week, we are thrilled to expand the KIDS FIRST! Online Auction with a curated selection for book lovers and art collectors alike. From the interactive nostalgia of a childhood classic to limited-edition photographic archives, these new additions are not to be missed.

Browse the New Book Collections Here: (https://givebutter.com/c/kids-first-silent-auction-mhoskr/auction)

The “Choose Your Own Adventures” Collection

We’ve added eleven distinct sets from the Choose Your Own Adventure series—the 4th best-selling children’s book franchise of all time.

Created by R.A. Montgomery and Edward Packard, these books became a cultural phenomenon by putting the reader in the driver’s seat. Whether you’re fighting dragons or exploring space, these sets are perfect for sparking a love of reading in 9- to 12-year-olds (and younger, there are now board books for ages 1 to 3).

1. The Connection: We are especially proud to feature these, as the company is currently led by Shannon Gilligan—widow of R.A. Montgomery and a longtime, dedicated KIDS FIRST! supporter.
2. Featured Titles: Look for classics like The Cave of Time, House of Danger, and The Abominable Snowman.

The Collector’s Corner: Southwestern Masterworks

From Clear Light Publishing, we are offering two rare, high-value volumes that capture the heart of New Mexico’s heritage:

1. Pueblo People: Ancient Traditions, Modern Lives by Marcia Keegan. A landmark, cloth-bound photographic archive. Keegan was the only photographer granted access to all 19 New Mexico Pueblos, making this the definitive visual record of our indigenous communities.
2. Old Father Story Teller (Limited Edition) Signed by the legendary Native American artist Pablita Velarde. This stunning 12.5” x 9” volume includes an exclusive art plate and over 20 full-color reproductions of Velarde’s original paintings.

Don’t Want to Wait? Use “Buy It Now!”

Skip the bidding war! Many of our most coveted books and fine art pieces feature a “Buy It Now” option. Secure your favorite treasure instantly and ensure your contribution goes directly toward our mission.

Our Impact: Every winning bid supports the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics and our international KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals. Your generosity empowers youth reporters to master media literacy and find their voices in the world of entertainment.

The Details:

• Bidding Is Open: More items are being added daily!
• Bidding Ends: June 15 at 11:59 p.m. MDT
• Our Mission: Championing the next generation of storytellers.

Log On & Start Bidding Now

Thank you for being part of our story. Happy bidding!

Evie Kaatz, Auction Chair; Ranny Levy, Evie’s Slave; Robin Greenberg, Nancy Kenney, Candace Carteen, Auction Elves