Alice's Kids

A child living in poverty suffers in many ways.  Their house may have no heat or running water.  The refrigerator may be empty and there may be no electricity.  But these hardships usually remain private. 

When that same child goes to school, however, their situation becomes more evident to others.  Their classmates can see the holes in their shoes, how they never have the required gym uniform or that they’ve worn the same dress three times in one week.  These publicly embarrassing situations can have a terrible impact on the child’s self esteem.                          

Mount Vernon’s public and private institutions offer food, rental subsidies and other forms of assistance to needy children but most are not designed to provide smaller financial contributions to the child who can’t afford art supplies or a new lens for their glasses.  That is why we have formed “Alice’s Kids.” 

Alice’s Kids is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides children a $25-50 gift card to purchase items that may appear “minor” on the surface but are nonetheless very important to that child.  It could be a winter jacket or a new calculator.  They might need a hygiene kit or an eye exam.  In some cases, Alice’s Kids may pay for a college application, a desired set of favorite books or a high school yearbook.    

I can personally attest to how a little help can improve one’s self esteem.  For years, my family received a monthly welfare check that paid for food, rent and little more.  So, I often wore the same dirty clothes to school, missed the class field trip or quit the baseball team after my glove had been stolen.  But I also remember the exhilarating feeling of getting onto the school bus in a freshly cleaned cotton shirt or carrying a new “Superman” notebook after my mother – Alice – somehow found some extra cash to spend on me and my siblings.    Alice is now gone, but Alice’s Kids will help children with the same needs.      

Children with healthy self esteem feel good about themselves.  They do better in school.  They are more successful.  Working with referrals from school staff, non-profit organizations, government workers and churches, Alice’s Kids hopes to make that child feel a little better about him or herself. 

I therefore hope you will make a tax deductible contribution that will be used to buy gift cards that will be given directly to a child in need.  A contribution of $100 means that at least three children will receive direct assistance.  If you need more information and/or want to make a contribution online, go to our website at www.aliceskids.org or contact us at aliceskids@cox.net.      

Ron Fitzsimmons

President and Executive Director

#give2max

At Alice’s Kids, we believe no child should feel “less than” simply because their family is struggling financially. That is why we provide fast, discreet financial assistance to school-age children living in poverty, helping them participate fully in the academic, social, and extracurricular experiences that shape childhood. Whether it’s a new pair of shoes, eyeglasses, field trip fees, or a musical instrument rental, our support helps children feel confident, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.

The need is real—and growing. In the 2023–2024 school year, nearly half of the students in Alexandria City Public Schools qualified for free or reduced meals. Many of these children lack basic resources like clothing, school supplies, or money for extracurriculars. The result? They miss out on everyday moments their peers take for granted—joining a soccer team, attending prom, or simply wearing new clothes to school. These exclusions don’t just impact their experiences; they impact their self-worth.

To reach these children, Alice’s Kids relies on referrals from teachers, social workers, and homeless shelter staff who submit our simple online request form. Within 48 hours, assistance—typically in the form of a gift card—is sent to the referrer, who then passes it to the parent or caregiver. This process allows caregivers to present the support as their own, preserving the child’s dignity.

Our story began in 2011 here in Alexandria, when siblings Ron and Laura Fitzsimmons founded Alice’s Kids in honor of their mother, Alice. Growing up in poverty, Ron and Laura knew firsthand the sting of feeling different. Alice’s small acts—buying a new outfit or paying for a haircut—left a lasting impact. Today, that legacy lives on in every child we serve.

From a modest $14,300 budget in our first year to $1.3 million in 2024, Alice’s Kids has grown into a national organization helping children in all 50 states. In 2024 alone, we assisted more than 10,000 kids—thanks to an expanding network of referral partners and the generosity of donors like you.

Our work has been featured in The Washington Post and supported by public figures like Steve Carell and Kevin Bacon. We are proud recipients of the George H.W. Bush “Points of Light” Award and other prestigious honors.

Your support creates those moments. A new pair of shoes. A graduation cap. A soccer uniform. A chance to just be a kid. Your support helps create these moments.

Join us. Because every child deserves the chance to thrive.