April 2009

I’ve sat through more than a few black-tie fundraisers in my lifetime and in many cases, wondered what impact the money raised would have. It is one of the things I’m conscious of each year as we plan the annual Operation Kids Lifetime Achievement Award Galas. Part of our pledge to donors is that we follow their money all the way through to the child in need.

Consequently, our office was thrilled to learn that a major child pornography sting funded by Operation Kids Gala proceeds, had successfully arrested more than a dozen offenders, with as many as 18 more arrests pending. The agency responsible for this success is the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) – one of the nation’s premier internet enforcement agencies.

The money came directly from the generous donations of more than 800 people who attended our Gala, honoring John Walsh this past October. Thanks to the donors and an outstanding group of law enforcements officials, dozens of predators are off the streets and hundreds, likely thousands, of children are safer today.

This is why I come to work every day. This is why I believe in what Operation Kids does – because it works. Whether it is a $10 donation or a thousand dollar donation, every dollar makes an impact in a child’s life – and we strive to show the donor how.

For further details and information on the sting, here are some great articles:
“Child Porn Sting Bankrolled by Private Foundation”
“Authorities Arrest 14 for Child Pornography” (another version of this story can also be seen here and here)