WINDHAM, N.Y. – AUGUST 29– The KFC Foundation has granted Windham-based non-profit the Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF), which provides profound and life-changing experiences for individuals with disabilities, $10,000 to make a project on their wish list come true.
Kentucky Fried Wishes is the community giving program of the KFC Foundation that invites non-profit organizations to apply for a grant to fund a project on their wish list. This year, the KFC Foundation is funding a million dollars in Kentucky Fried Wishes to 100 non-profit organizations across the country.
“We are so grateful to the KFC Foundation for this generous Kentucky Fried Wishes grant. The ASF is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and these funds will help us create a short film about the day-to-day processes of empowering lives through adaptive sports. Not only will this project celebrate our special anniversary, but we believe it will help spread the word about what we do for those in the disabled community,” said John Iannelli, Executive Director of the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
ASF’s founder, Gwen Allard, had a vision of helping those in need learn how to ski back in 1983. Her dedication to the sport and the disabled community led to the creation of a ski school, which started in a small closet-sized room at the Windham Mountain base lodge and has evolved into what ASF is today, fulfilling its mission of “empowering lives through adaptive sports” year-round.
The filmmaking team behind the short film is HUDSY, a community-inspired film platform that brings the Hudson Valley region closer together through the power of storytelling, fostering connection in innovative, collaborative and unique ways. When initially approached about the project, HUDSY committed to match Kentucky Fried Wishes dollar-for-dollar should ASF be selected as one of the organizations to receive the $10,000 grant.
“Due to the generosity of KFC customers who chose to Round Up their orders to the KFC Foundation, we were able to double the amount of grants awarded to community-based non-profits through Kentucky Fried Wishes this year,” said Emma Horn, Executive Director, KFC Foundation. “This is our biggest award year to date, and we’re proud to support these non-profits who are doing meaningful work.”
Kentucky Fried Wishes is just one way the KFC Foundation supports, empowers and serves joy to KFC restaurant employees and communities. The KFC Foundation also provides programs focused on education accessibility and financial assistance for KFC restaurant employees.
Operating independently from KFC Corporation and led by a board including KFC franchisees, the KFC Foundation receives its financial support from Round Up fundraising and its annual donation program, a voluntary program where KFC franchisees contribute a portion of their restaurant sales of Secret Recipe Fries to engage in and support the Foundation’s initiatives.
About the KFC Foundation
The KFC Foundation, an independent 501c3 organization, has provided over $31 million to support, empower and serve joy to more than 9,300 students, KFC restaurant employees and non-profits. The KFC Foundation’s charitable programs include GED achievement, college scholarships, tuition coverage, community giving, savings matching and financial hardship assistance, all made possible by Round Up donations, purchases of KFC’s Secret Recipe Fries and other donations. For more information, visit kfcfoundation.org.
About the Adaptive Sports Foundation
The Adaptive Sports Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, has been providing sports and recreation opportunities to thousands of children and adults with both cognitive and physical disabilities. Considered one of the top adaptive sports programs in the country, the ASF has been on the cutting edge of adaptive sports programming and has provided what participants have often described as “life changing experiences.” For more information, please visit www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org.
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Check out the video below to see the ASF Staff’s initial reaction to the news!