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Bonnie Baker Scholarship Fund

Dear Forum Family,

Bonnie Baker, a retired colleague of the Children's Forum, our friend, and our conscience, was a special soul whose life ended much too soon in a tragic auto accident on 5/2/11. She was part of the Forum Family for 16 years and her legacy will always be a part of us.

The expressions of love and concern that Forum staff recently shared with Bonnie through her recent fight and recovery from breast cancer surgery is something meaningful that she took with her. To honor her memory, the Forum has established a scholarship in Bonnie's name and will receive memorial contributions on her behalf.

We will acknowledge contributions to Bonnie's family and the Forum will match contributions with our own gift as our way of honoring her life and memory. If you would like to make a personal contribution, please make an online donation.

Thank you for being the warm and caring people that you are. We never know the number of days we're allotted in this life and this is a sobering reminder to cherish those we love, do all we can to make a difference and be a blessing to others. Make each day special.

Warmly,
Phyllis Kalifeh
President and CEO
Children's Forum

We have chosen a recipient and are no longer accepting scholarship applications for the Bonnie Baker Memorial T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship. Any additional applications we receive will be placed on the T.E.A.C.H. Bachelor Scholarship Wait List.

Donations to the Bonnie Baker Memorial T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship fund will continue to be accepted and appreciated.

Investing in Young Children is Critical

Research suggests that 90 percent of brain growth is developed by the age of five. To help young children experience the best possible learning environment, they need nurturing teachers who have a background in child development or early childhood education.

Unlike their school-age (K-12) counterparts, many child care practitioners do not have formal training or higher education opportunities. In fact, 53 percent of the child care workforce has only a high-school diploma or less. That is why the Children's Forum provides programs, research, advocacy, training and educational services to the early care and education workforce. As a statewide, not-for-profit membership organization, the Children's Forum believes that teachers who enhance their knowledge and skills in child development foster positive outcomes for young children.

Investing in Education for Young Children Saves Money

National studies and economic estimates have shown that as much as $1 spent in child care today saves communities $7 per child in the long term. Children who attend quality early education programs are less likely to commit crimes and more likely to graduate from high school, attend college and maintain employment.

Support the Children's Forum

Your generous gift allows the Forum to continue supporting and administering programs that help ensure quality educational experiences for young children. Incorporated in 1990, the Children's Forum is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. All contributions to the Children's Forum are tax deductible. You will receive an email confirmation once your information has successfully been submitted and will have the opportunity to make your donation in memoriam of someone special.

Donate Online

Make a gift by mail

The Children's Forum
Office of Charitable Giving
2807 Remington Green Circle
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

Make a contribution by phone

1-888-FL-CHILD (toll-free in the U.S.). Please ask to speak with Jenna Brown, Communications Director.

To reach us by e-mail

donations@thechildrensforum.com

Memorial Gifts

Gifts can be made in memory of a special individual, and the Children's Forum will be happy to send a card to the family of the individual that you designate.