We Will Not Forget Values & Guiding Principles

Compassion, integrity, responsibility, communication, teamwork and continuous improvement are our values and guiding principles for the Fund, as well as the catalyst for strengthening our relations within and outside this organization.

We must never forget to make a personal commitment to each family and affected child, to work with care and compassion, and with a bias toward providing solutions.
Through integrity we must be true to our values and honest about our commitment to them. We must recognize and acknowledge the value and contribution of each person by treating others, as we would like to be treated.
It is our responsibility as a charity and as individuals to be accountable for our actions and obligations.
We must actively listen in order to understand what is being said. We must also be clear, straightforward, and honest in sharing information.
We must seek continuous improvement by encouraging initiative and risk taking. We must be willing to learn and grow, with the mindset to be open to new ideas and concepts.
We must be as efficient and cost-effective as possible, maintain a minimum of professional and support staff to ensure proper execution of operations and policies, and be frugal at all times; this will help ensure the children receive as much assistance as possible.

Frank and Carolyn Koestner

The Day That Changed My Life
By: Carolyn Koestner


Not many people know what it's like to lose a parent at my age. Each year it gets tougher and tougher to deal with it, especially this year being the 10th anniversary. I hate watching it being replayed over and over. You don't know what it's like to have to see your dad burned to death over and over. It's so hard.

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Thank you for helping to fund Joseph’s college expenses. This is a great gift to our family. It is an extraordinary example of the generosity and compassion of groups like yours, and the individuals like you; people who work so very hard to support us and stand with us in our grief. You have reached out to us in a spirit of genuine love and compassion, and we are very grateful to you and all those who work with you. We have been blessed and uplifted by your kindness, and we will always be grateful. Patricia C.