About the foundation
In memory of Lee Anne Newkirk
The Lee Anne Newkirk Foundation exists to continue something she started — not to mark that she's gone.
Lee’s story
Why this foundation carries her name
When Lee Anne Newkirk's son, Evan, was a child, he spent a Christmas in the hospital. Instead of shopping for gifts that year, Lee stayed at his bedside.
Toys donated by strangers made it possible for Evan to still have a Christmas morning worth remembering, even from a hospital room. Lee never forgot that. In the years that followed, donating Christmas toys for hospitalized children became a meaningful part of how she gave back.
After Lee passed away, her family wanted to continue that generosity — and build something able to grow beyond what one person could do alone. That became The Lee Anne Newkirk Foundation, and its first program: Fill the Rooms.
More to come
This is the story as it’s been shared with us so far. If Lee’s family wants to add more — in their own words — this section will grow to hold it.
Photo coming soon
A photograph of Lee will go here once the family shares one.
Our mission
Carrying forward Lee’s legacy of generosity
The Lee Anne Newkirk Foundation brings toys, joy, and hope to children and families facing difficult circumstances. Our first program, Fill the Rooms, serves children spending Christmas in the hospital. As the foundation grows, we intend to take on new programs — but we’re focused on building this first one well before we talk about what comes next.
Community-led
Every program starts with a real need we can see, not a template borrowed from somewhere else.
Direct
We aim to put donations — toys, time, and money — as directly as possible into the hands of the children and families they're meant for.
Honest, always
We'd rather tell you a page is still being finished than fill it with information that isn't true yet.
Meet the first program: Fill the Rooms
See who it serves, how toy donations will work, and how to take part in our inaugural campaign.