BAHS Senior Raises Money for CARE

When Bradford Area High School senior Karli Kozminski was trying to determine the subject for her graduation project, the answer was literally placed in her hands.

Being a friend of Eric and Jenny Taylor and a frequent babysitter for their daughter, Kierstin, Karli shared in their excitement when they welcomed their son, Preston, to the family, and knew she, too, wanted to be an advocate for children with Down syndrome.

Since Preston was receiving services through CARE for Children, Karli decided to do a fundraiser to benefit the organization, but also honor Preston.

What came about was a walk-a-thon, during which participants could walk, run or jog the McDowell Trail at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, but each was asked to raise a minimum of $20 in sponsorships to go to CARE. Karli organized raffles, drawings and an auction, with those proceeds also benefitting the organization.

The response was overwhelming. To date, $12,000 has been raised for CARE for Children in Preston Taylor’s name.

“We are so thankful for the outpouring of support that we’ve gotten from so many people,” said the Taylors. “We have always lived with the mentality that you should try to give back to your community however possible, and we’re honored that Karli’s event will help not just Preston, but so many local children and their families.”

“I truly never expected to raise $12,000,” said Karli. “I kept setting a goal and then I’d pass it, so I’d have to set another. It was actually fun to see how far we could go.”

“We are so appreciative of the work that Karli put into her project to ensure it was as successful as it was,” said Mandi Wilton Davis, CARE’s development & marketing coordinator. “She was a true professional in how she handled herself and the event and we’re, of course, grateful for the community’s support.”

There was a true community-wide response to the event, with many participants representing local corporations, including American Refining Group and GE/Dresser, with those companies providing a matching contribution to those made by participating employees.

And, although the event was held in July, donations continue to come into the CARE office.

CARE will use half of the proceeds to benefit the Early Intervention Birth to Three programs, and the other half will go towards the building campaign.

“I am glad, too, that CARE’s new building will benefit from the Walk-A-Thon,” said Karli. “It’s an exciting time for CARE, and I’m glad to be a part, all the while honoring the Taylor family.”

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947