Kidzz Helping Kidzz

Kidzz Helping Kidzz formed as a result of Zachary Darner’s (age 14) passion to help other kids in need. His passion developed seven years ago, when his infant brother was quite ill and in the hospital several times. It was then that Zachary decided to raise 50 new toys to give to children at two children’s hospitals in the Puget Sound area, feeling that children should feel safe and cared for while in the hospital during Christmas. He went door-to-door in his neighborhood with flyers about his project. The toy drive exceeded all expectations, and he distributed 259 toys at the hospitals.

The following year, Zachary increased his goal to collect 1,000 toys. Zachary spoke at Rotary Clubs and schools to get the word out about his toy drive. He set up collection boxes in the community. With the support of the community, he exceeded his goal and raised 1,589 toys!

In 2018, Zachary desired to once again collect toys to take to kids in hospitals unable to be at home for the holidays. Zachary increased his goal to raise 5,000 toys. To support these efforts, Kidzz Helping Kidzz formed as a nonprofit organization. Zachary gave numerous presentations to Rotary clubs and schools and met with public officials. 55 businesses supported his toy drive by hosting toy collection boxes. Seven kids (ages 7-15) assisted Kidzz Helping Kidzz by sorting toys, going door-to-door to distribute flyers with Zachary, and delivering the toys to the hospitals. These kids have formally become the Kidzz Helping Kidzz Advisory Board.  Zachary exceeded his goal and collected 5,890 toys which were given to children at Harrison Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

In 2019, Zachary and the seven children who make up the Kidzz Helping Kidzz Advisory Board developed a “story time” at Barnes and Noble. They read to young children, lead puppet shows and have scavenger hunts to encourage reading. Each month they volunteer with the Bremerton Backpack Brigade by helping fill backpacks full of food that are delivered to children on the free and reduced lunch program. They have a "game night" with homeless youth at the Coffee Oasis and bring home baked desserts. They also delivered 6712 toys (Easter toy drive and Christmas toy drive) that were given to ill children at Harrison Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

In response to COVID-19, Kidzz Helping Kidzz created a new program called “Kids Chat”.  Kids Chat offers an opportunity for kids ages 10-16 to come together via zoom every Monday evening to talk about topics of importance (determined by the kids) and to bridge socialization and friendship during a time of increased isolation. Kids from all over the country are joining Kids Chat.

In 2021, Kidzz Helping Kidzz continued the Kids Chat program.  In the fall, Zachary and the kids who are members of the Advisory Board created videos and got the word out to our local community about their goal of brightening the lives of 5000 kids who would be spending their Christmas in a Puget Sound Hospital.  The community was extremely receptive.  Requests for supporting the Kidzz Helping Kidzz toy drive though displaying toy collection boxes at businesses, schools and Churches nearly doubled and we distributed 98 boxes.  Zachary along with his Advisory board of Kidzz ages 10-18 delivered 8989 toys to children at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, and Seattle Children’s Hospital.

In 2022, the Advisory Board of Kidzz continued the Kids Chat program and collected 7018 toys which were delivered to children during the holidays at St. Michael Medical Center, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, Seattle Children's Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and Kaiser Urgent Care in Silverdale.  The Advisory Board of Kidzz also assisted the Bremerton Backpack Brigade by packing backpacks with food and helping with a local food drive.

In 2023, The Advisory Board of Kidzz assisted the Bremerton Backpack Brigade by packing backpacks with food and forged a new partnership with the Central Kitsap Backpack 4 kids program.  Our 2023 toy drive was the biggest ever!  We donated over 11,000 toys to ill children during the holidays at St. Michael Medical Center, Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, Seattle Children's Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and Kaiser Urgent Care in Silverdale.

Since our humble beginnings, Kidzz Helping Kidzz distributed over 41,000 toys to Puget Sound area hospitals.  These activities allow Kidzz Helping Kidzz to give hope and joy to other children and, in doing so, foster opportunities to create a culture of kindness and mutual support in our communities.