Support the Hightower & Kloos Legacy Fund

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the impoverished nation of Haiti. An estimated 200,000 people were killed, including NPH USA international volunteer Molly Hightower of Port Orchard, WA, and visitor Ryan Kloos of Phoenix, AZ. More than 300,000 people were injured, including visitor Rachel Prusynski and NPH USA volunteer Erin Kloos. Approximately 1.5 million people were left homeless, including members of the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos/Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NPH/NPFS, Spanish and French for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) family.

Each year, dozens of volunteers serve as child caregivers, teachers, health care workers and more at the NPH/NPFS homes in Latin America and the Caribbean. They pay their own expenses to leave their homes and lives in the U.S. to go to countries with poor infrastructures, unreliable services, political unrest and widespread poverty. They work hard and are not paid with money, but with hugs, smiles and love. Many of these volunteers were inspired to volunteer by Molly and Ryan; they have chosen this path to carry on the work that they can no longer do.

The Hightower and Kloos Legacy Fund was created soon after the earthquake as a way to memorialize the contributions to the NPH family of Molly Hightower and Erin and Ryan Kloos. The steering committee for the endowment is comprised of Mike and Mary Hightower, Kathy Shannon, Erin Kloos and Robin Forestal, and is staffed by NPH USA International Engagement Manager Jennifer Foster. The committee set the guidelines for the endowment, created the application and review process, and selects the recipients each upcoming year.

One or two endowment recipients will be selected each year. The recipient/s must have been accepted to volunteer at NPFS (or another NPH home if there is a year when NPFS will not have a volunteer), and plan to work in a human service field. The award can be used to cover any expenses associated with volunteering such as airfare, vaccines, or language school, or can be used for a special project during service.

We are grateful to those who have given to this Fund. Your support allows us the opportunity to reflect on Molly and Erin’s dedication to the children of Haiti while ensuring the memories and legacies of Molly and Ryan are not forgotten.

Please make a gift to The Hightower and Kloos Legacy Fund or to our general fund to support all of the NPH/NPFS homes.