The Polly Klaas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity organization devoted to preventing crimes against children, assisting in the recovery of missing children, and lobbying for legislative assistance. The foundation was formed October 23, 1993, to search for Polly Klaas. Its executive director is Robert De Leo.[2] It has expanded its mission and now searches for many missing children.
 | |
| Formation | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Type | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas, United States |
President | Dan Fish |
Key people |
|
Revenue (2015) | $273,928[1] |
| Expenses (2015) | $724,250[1] |
| Website | www.pollyklaas.org |
The Polly Klaas Foundation also provides kits for parents to teach abduction prevention in a way that they state is not frightening for children.[3] It distributes over 100,000 of these kits per year.[4]
The Polly Klaas Foundation worked with Convio to send targeted letters to state and federal officials to implement Amber Alerts in all 50 states.
Polly's father, Marc, is not associated with this foundation. However, her mother, Eve Nichol, serves on the board.
History
editThe Polly Klaas Foundation was created initially to search for Polly Klaas. After two years, the executive director, Gary Kinley, resigned with no explanation, and there was an analysis of financial problems in 1996.[5] The Polly Klaas Foundation has since recovered and has drastically increased its operating budget.[6]
The Polly Klaas Foundation receives the majority of its donations via donated cars, through a partnership with Harvard Palmer Jr.'s Vehicle Donation Processing Center.[7]
On November 19 1993 a 32 year old woman filed a civil suit against Polly Klaas Foundation president Bill Rhodes, claiming he had molested her over a period of 6 months 24 years ago. Rhodes was previously convicted of masturbating in front of several young girls in 1967 and acquitted of molesting 4 Santa Clara girls at knife point in 1968.[8][9] He claimed his role in the foundation was to "make amends" for his past. Rhodes stepped down on November 20th. [10] Police stated he was not a suspect in the Polly Klaas case.[11] Rhodes died in February 8 2012.
Children
editThe missing children featured by the Polly Klaas Foundation include:
Other people
edit- Michelle Le, nursing student. Search efforts were supported by the foundation.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Polly Klaas Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ^ "Staying ahead of 'predators'". NBC News. 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ "Take Action: Order your free Child Safety Kit today". Pollyklaasaction.org. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ "Polly Klaas Foundation". Convio.com. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ "Polly Klaas Foundation riddled with fiscal problems". Metroactive.com. 1996-04-03. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ "Polly Klaas Foundation". Guidestar.org. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
- ^ Schembari, James (2003-12-28). "Old Cars Can Become Good Deeds". New York Times. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
- ^ Spiering, Frank (1995). Who Killed Polly?, Volume 1. Monterey Press. p. 61.
- ^ "Accused of Molesting, Man Quits Search for Missing Girl". New York Times. 1993-11-22. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "The Sad Case Of Polly Klaas". Newsweek. 1993-12-12. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "SUSPECT QUERIED IN KIDNAPPING OF CALIFORNIA GIRL". Washington Post. 1993-12-01. Retrieved 2024-11-20.