Inaugural Serving Up Smiles tasting event with Chef Roble, Chef Barret Beyer, Giselle Miller VP of Events, Chef Chris Nirschel and Michele Hall Duncan, Executive Director
Have you ever wondered how some people get into their respective professions? What makes someone want to be a doctor, astronaut, lawyer, or whatever they decide to do? Well, I had the opportunity to meet Michele Hall-Duncan and find out how she became the Executive Director of the EnCourage Kids Foundation and how the organization sustains its fundraising ebb and flow. Her story is inspiring because of her and her team’s determination and vision to bring smiles to kids facing a wide range of health problems – from those receiving chemo treatment in clinics to those living with chronic diseases that may otherwise be invisible.
Tell us about the journey that led you to become Executive Director of the EnCourage Kids Foundation.
It’s an amazing story! I had been volunteering with enCourage Kids for about four years when my company was bought out by a larger entity and our department folded. At the same time the program coordinator was scheduled to go on maternity leave. I agreed to protect him, for just three months, while I made a decision my next career move. That was over 20 years ago. Our kids, family and hospital partners make me want to stay and work hard to provide the best programs.
Tell us about the programs offered by enCourage Kids.
Our six core programs help sick kids and families deal with the everyday challenges they face. Our Children’s Hospital Support Program provides direct support to pediatric units for projects that generally can’t be supported by a hospital budget. We have funded more than 800 projects totaling almost $15 million over the past twenty years. We make sure that these patients receive art therapy, music and horticulture, wheelchair accessible transportation, state-of-the-art technology, a child-friendly environment, and more. We are working directly with the hospital to make this project a reality. We’ve renovated 33 of the drab and terrifying hospital wards through our Nursing Rooms program. It makes an enormous difference to a child when they’ve a medical procedure in a fantastic setting. Our Tablet program uses a special application to distract, entertain and educate young patients during their hospital stay. Through our Send A Smile, Send A Bear program, our generous donors have placed over 27,000 new, hygienic and lovely teddy bears for kids in hospital. Entertainers who are trained to work in a hospital setting bring our Hospital Happenings program to life. We sponsor clowns, musicians, caricature artists, and even harpists who play in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). He comforted those lovely little babies so they could grow up big and powerful. Last but not least, our Escapes program allows kids and their families to share precious stress-free time together at sporting events, amusement parks, circuses, museums, movie days, our annual camp and plenty of other incredible events. Everything is free and we do all the planning.
How many kids does enCourage Kids support?
More than 275,000 every year.
How have your fundraising efforts been over the last few years? Is there lots of competition for donor dollars with the thousands of nonprofits out there?
Non-profit fundraising is undergoing major changes. It’s becoming more and more challenging to raise funds. You must be creative. Direct mail dropped as online fundraising grew. There has been an explosion in peer to peer fundraising. It’s important to have a clear and compelling mission and for all of your stakeholders to be capable to deliver on that mission. Donors are also far better educated about their options and where their money should go.
I know the organization is hosting some events? How many events do you organize yearly? Do you find that different donors support different events or do they support the same event every year? Do you have a favourite show?
We have an annual gala, our cheering Children’s Night at Citi Field, a Smile Serving Event, an annual golf tournament, and then our Young Professionals Committee hosts their signature rooftop event in May together with a Holiday Happy Hour event in December to support bear program. Our board of directors is at the heart of our big event fundraising efforts, at all times ensuring that we have great gala honorees and that our events are well attended. YPC reaches out to young professionals in metropolitan areas. They are deeply involved with the mission and their excitement is contagious. I love all of our shows, but Serving Smiles is my favorite. It does not feel like work, it is so much fun and thrilling!
Do you have a celebrity ambassador? Are you planning to get a certain famous celebrity behind the cause?
We have an exquisite young ambassador at Carly Rose Sonenclar. Carly is a singer, songwriter who appeared on the X Factor and performed on Broadway and tv. He has a big heart and loves coming to our events to see our children. And she is simply 17 years old! We’ve had some great gala hosts over the last few years, Holly Robinson Peete and Steve Schirripa recently come to mind. I’m so enthusiastic about chef Chris Nirschel hosting this year’s Serving Up Smiles. He made a commitment to host the event last year and his energy and excitement was incredible.
Speaking of your favourite show, The Serving Up Smiles Tasting Event is coming on Monday, 24 October 2016. What restaurants and cooks will be attending?
First of all, I love good food. So this show is unquestionably a favorite. Last year was the first time we held this event. We’re moving on from another labor-intensive fall event where attendance is dwindling and it is time for a change. Our board truly supports the event and delivered more than we all hoped for. The lineup of cooks and restaurants is incredible. This band is the best band you’ll ever hear. The place is lovely with a view of the Hudson River at sunset. Robert, Butter, Bryant Park Grill, City Bakery, and Arcade Bakery are back this year and we’re excited to welcome Ben and Jack’s Steakhouse, Cowfish, Buns Bar, Melt Shop, Kellari, El Toro Blanco, Café 2, and Terrace 5 to MoMA. , Melt Bakery and Carlo’s Bakery. Buddy Valastro designed my wedding cake before he became Cake Boss so I’m glad they got on board.
What’s next for the EnCourage Kids Foundation?
Support more sick kids and their families. It’s the best we do.
Can you tell us something about you that almost all people do not?
I’m an introvert. Very shy. It shocks people because once you get to know me – I agree. However, when I go to dinner parties, I at all times try to go into the kitchen and help clean up. This is funny.
3rd Annual Mother’s Day Brunch at Bryant Park Grill with Michele Hall Duncan and pushing Kid Brianna
To purchase Serving Up Smiles tickets: https://encourage-kids.org
