East Alabama Living Winter 2020

initiative, and a check would surprisingly
appear in our mailbox.
“We believe that we have proven ourselves
over the past 10 years, and I feel that people
trust that we are going to do the right things
for the right reasons. I am extremely thankful
for and proud of our community. Now is the
time to give more than ever. So many needs
are exposed when something like this happens
that you may not have seen otherwise.
When we have the burden of knowing that
there is a need, then we have the responsibility
to act.
“We are in it to make a difference,” Kim
stresses. “Some years are smooth sailing, and
other years you really have to get to work and
write a lot more checks. That is okay because
that is why we are here.”
They presented 16 $3,000 scholarships
this spring to local graduating seniors even
though the kids were not in school. Overall, the
Foundation has presented scholarships to 146
students, totaling over half a million dollars.
The Foundation has donated over $1.2
million dollars through its grant programs.
Approximately half are individual grants used
to support families in need by handling necessary
expenses like rent or mortgage payments,
utilities, and medical bills. The other
half are grants to other organizations that
share the Foundation’s mission of serving
children and families in need.
They partner with the local Publix stores
for their Legends Program to present almost
4,000 certificates each fall to local elementary
school children who are specifically chosen by
their teachers and principals. Each child then
receives a food basket that feeds 10 to 12 people
for a Thanksgiving meal.
In the past they have hosted the children
at the Auburn Arena with Aubie, cheerleaders
and the band. They emphasize to the children
how important they are and how proud everyone
is of them for being a “legendary” kid.
While the certificates and food baskets are
going to be given this year, they may not be
able to have the celebration because of Covid-
19. “Our goal is to not only provide food, but to
empower the kids to know that they are great
kids and deserve to be celebrated,” says Kim.
“They are so proud to do this for their family.”
At Christmas time, they invite around 150
children and their families to Target to “Shop
with Santa”. Each child receives a $100 dollar
gift card and shops at Target for whatever
they want. They have shopped with over 750
children.
“We are committed to doing our Thanksgiving
and Christmas programs this year even if they
may look differently,” she says. “There are likely
more needs than ever before. Now is not the
time to push pause.
“We want people to understand what we
do,” Kim states. “I would love for more people
to get involved and for people to know
that they can recommend families to us for
assistance.
“We are close to $2 million dollars in gifts
through our programs. We are working harder
than we ever have. If you are going to be a nonprofit
and give back, now is the time to do it.”
The Foundation does not have any overhead.
Jenny Hall is the Executive Director and
only employee, and the Hudson’s donate her
salary. One hundred percent of donations
goes to helping families.
“I remember Tim and I talking years ago
about where we were going to live the rest of
our lives,” says Kim. “It took about two minutes
to figure out that we wanted it to be
Auburn. It has been very fulfilling to bring the
Foundation here and serve the community
that has given so much to us.
“We always want our Foundation to be truly
impactful, meeting real needs,” Kim states.
“We are fully committed to getting out there
and actively serving our community. That is
why we started, and that is what we will continue
to do.”
To become involved or to donate, go to the website at
www.hudsonfamilyfoundation.org.
48 EAST ALABAMA LIVING