KIDS FIRST! News

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

Shop for a Cause: Turn Art Into Opportunity

The KIDS FIRST! Online Auction is officially live at midnight May 2! We’ve curated an exclusive collection of rare experiences and masterworks—and this year, we are bringing you closer to Hollywood than ever before.

The Spotlight: VIP Experiences with Mallory Lewis We are honored to feature exclusive opportunities with the legendary Mallory Lewis! Whether you are a fan of her iconic work with Lamb Chop or looking for industry insights, these experiences are the crown jewels of our catalog.

Don’t Want to Wait? Use “Buy It Now!” Found something you absolutely must have? Skip the bidding war! Many of our most coveted items—including fine art, jewelry, and select experiences—feature a “Buy It Now” option. Secure your favorite treasure instantly and support our mission today.

Your Impact: Every winning bid and “Buy It Now” purchase directly fuels the KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program. Your support empowers our youth reporters to master media literacy, build critical thinking skills, and find their voices in the world of entertainment.

Browse the catalog, share the link with your circle, and let’s make an impact together. Happy bidding!

Details:

Bidding Starts: Midnight, May 2, 2026 MDT

Bidding Ends: June 15 at 11:59 p.m. MDT

The Mission: Championing the next generation of storytellers.

Item #1 and #2: Spend an Private Day or a Zoom Call with Mallory Lewis and the world’s most beloved puppet, Lamb Chop.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The year 2025 has presented unprecedented financial challenges for KIDS FIRST! We began the year with optimism, having secured two federal grants designated to support our Film Festivals in Ukraine, Pakistan, and across the U.S.

Unfortunately, a subsequent change in administration halted the release of federal grants, a dramatic move that impacted countless nonprofits, including ours. This forced us to immediately pivot and seek sustainable, forward-looking sources of revenue.

We responded by doing what we do best: innovating for the future. We successfully formed new alliances to ensure our stability and growth:

• We partnered with a company serving 5,000+ Montessori schools nationwide to host KIDS FIRST! Film Festivals for their families. This generates funds for their schools as well as for us.
• We relaunched our podcast with iHeartMedia, creating the potential for an ongoing ad-sales revenue stream from existing content.
• We established a relationship with three AVOD channels to create a dedicated KIDS FIRST! section, splitting ad revenue 50/50 with the independent filmmakers we champion.
• We launched our ambitious year-end fundraising campaign early, starting in June.

You Are Our Success Story

Your incredible support has made the difference. We successfully reached our first goal of $15,000 at the end of August, and we are now at 98% of our second goal of $30,000!

Your donations are truly keeping KIDS FIRST! alive and well, allowing us to continue our vital work and share our unique insights into youth-focused media with hundreds of thousands of kids and families globally.

We now invite you to help us cross the finish line—and even surpass it!

Will you contribute today? Click the platform link below to make a gift in any form. If you are unable to contribute, please consider forwarding this message to someone who can help us secure our future.

Thank you for your trust and generosity. We send our love and best wishes for the holidays.

Ranny Levy, Founder and President, and the KIDS FIRST! Team

https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirst2025

In the complex world we navigate today, teaching kids to be critical thinkers and savvy media consumers has never been more vital. At KIDS FIRST!, we’ve embraced this mission for 34 years, and our impact on youth and families is a legacy we cherish. Our alumni consistently tell us the profound difference KIDS FIRST! has made in their lives.

This year, despite the unexpected loss of two major government grants due to recent challenges in Washington, we’ve pivoted with purpose. We’re launching two exciting initiatives to create sustainable, ongoing revenue streams to support our essential KIDS FIRST! Film Critics program and the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.

A Win-Win for Schools and Future Leaders

We’ve established a groundbreaking partnership with a network of 5,000 Montessori schools nationwide. We’ll collaborate with them to host the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival at their campuses – serving as either a vibrant fundraising event for their school or a special bonus for their families. This is truly a win-win, offering schools a fantastic program while generating vital funds for KIDS FIRST!

With each participating school, we’ll recruit new members for our KIDS FIRST! Film Critic team. These young critics will provide their schoolmates with the latest film and media reviews, fostering media literacy from within their own communities.

Our Urgent Need: Doubling Your Impact

To kick start these powerful initiatives, we urgently need to raise $30,000 in the next 30 days. This is a deeply personal ask. Like many of you, I am profoundly concerned about the future of our country, of our world, and committed to efforts organizations that make a tangible difference.

Right now, your donation to KIDS FIRST! will be matched dollar-for-dollar through August 31st! This is a powerful opportunity to double your impact and fuel a movement that’s building a smarter, more discerning generation.

More Than a Program – It’s a Movement. KIDS FIRST! is about more than just film reviews; it’s about empowering young people. Our team of KIDS FIRST! Film Critics creates their own insightful reviews of the latest films, TV shows, and digital media. These reviews are shared with the public through our social media channels, website, and blogs. We’ve cultivated a vibrant community of young people who:

• Know how to sort disinformation & misinformation from credible information.
• Believe in the positive power of media to create positive change in the world.
• Are passionate about sharing their voices with an ever-growing audience.

If you’ve ever doubted the potential of young people, this program will make you feel incredibly optimistic about the leaders of tomorrow.

Please consider a donation of any amount – no amount is too small!

• Donate or learn more at: https://fundrazr.com/kidsfirst2025
• Follow our podcast: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-kids-first-coming-attractio-277638809
• Watch our reviews and interviews:
  • https://www.instagram.com/kidsfirstcoming_attractions
  • https://www.youtube.com/@KIDSFIRSTFilmCritics
  • https://www.tiktok.com/@kidsfirstmedia

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your invaluable support. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

Sincerely,

Ranny and the KIDS FIRST! Team