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KEPYR’s ‘Kindred Spirits’ Campaign - UNICEF Aid for Displaced Kids Now Underway

The month-long online fundraiser runs through June 20 - World Refugee Day; campaign supports UNICEF’s work aiding displaced children around the world.

Kids Entertainment Professionals for Young Refugees (KEPYR), the grassroots, all-volunteer organization comprised of kids and family entertainment professionals, has announced the launch of their 5th annual Kindred Spirits online fundraising event in support of UNICEF’s work aiding displaced children around the world. 100% of all proceeds go directly to UNICEF’s refugee relief work, providing nutrition, clothing, shelter, health and immunization, psychosocial support, and education to the world’s 33 million refugee, displaced, and internally displaced children. During the month-long event, entertainment industry artists, actors, writers, executives, and others are invited to join with colleagues from around the world in making tax deductible donations in any amount here.

“As professionals from the kid’s entertainment industry, you understand the significance of bringing a smile to a child’s face,” commented UNICEF USA president and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis. “During these unique times, the millions of children who have been uprooted, driven from their homes by violence or deprivation, and are forced to make difficult and dangerous journeys abroad, need us now more than ever. Whether these children are migrants, refugees, or internally displaced, they are all children first.”

This year, KEPYR is seeking to raise a minimum of $50,000 in donations through its planned events. In addition to the Kindred Spirits fundraiser, the organization will host a virtual holiday gala and online silent auction on November 12. Individuals and companies are invited to donate items, experiences, or services for auction by contacting KEPYR volunteer Dustin Ferrer.

“Since we started as a small group of friends in 2017, hundreds and hundreds of people on five continents have reached out to join this movement and it continues as our profile rises,” noted KEPYR founder Grant Moran. “That speaks powerfully to who we are as a community and why we do what we do every day. Kids’ media people care deeply about children. They’re particularly affected by the suffering of the most vulnerable among them and want to be part of the solution.”  

Since its inception, KEPYR has worked to build awareness in the global children’s media industry about the current child refugee crisis – the worst since WWII. The organization has raised nearly $200,000 for UNICEF’s refugee relief work through events like Kindred Spirits and live events like 2019’s “Stand Up for Children” comedy show, which featured Patton Oswalt and Al Madrigal, hosted by voice acting star Grey Griffin. The community includes artists; writers; actors; producers; game designers; content developers; authors; composers; agents; network and studio executives; and others working independently and at companies and organizations including Mattel; Marvel; Disney; Nickelodeon; Cartoon Network; DreamWorks; Netflix; Amazon; Warner Bros.; Hasbro; 9 Story Media Group; Animation Magazine; Blizzard Entertainment; Cyber Group; Scholastic; King Features; Little Airplane; Silvergate Media; Rainshine Entertainment; Big Bad Boo Studios; Boulder Media; WGBH; WNET; Gaumont; Pukeko Pictures; Mechanic Animation; CrunchyRoll; Aniplex USA; DR Movie Animation; D-Rights; Panaderia Licensing & Marketing; and Ripple Effect Consultancy.

Source: KEPYR