IMPROVING CHILDREN’S LIVES

IN THE GREATER METRO AREA AND BEYOND

Our Mission

Carney’s Kids Foundation, through community events, fundraising activities, and media exposure, provides financial support and creates positive publicity for non-profit organizations whose primary goal is to improve the lives of children and young adults. We support organizations seeking to enhance the quality of children’s lives by improving their physical, emotional and mental health. Our mission is to provide educational assistance, improve the environments of children living outside a family home, support families in need, and provide disadvantaged children with pathways to their own potential.

Throughout the year, Carney’s Kids hosts community events, and creates fundraising opportunities as a way for the community to work through us to serve the children and young adults of our region. Our Board meets monthly to plan events and to discuss the needs of our partner charities, as well as those who have reached out to us in need, to determine how we can be of service. We are humbly grateful to be able to share the generosity and goodwill of our sponsors and donors to enrich and improve the lives of so many young people throughout the St. Louis community and beyond. Carney’s Kids provides an opportunity for you, our generous donors, and for us as well, to be a hero in the life of a child. Thank you.

Our History

John Carney has been involved with assisting children’s charities since 2000. John wanted to shift his energy from charity appearances and hosting fundraising galas to a more concentrated effort in order to have a more meaningful impact for children. Carney’s Kids Foundation was established in 2006.

The organization’s first Executive Director was Joanie Protzel. In 2014, Suzanne Sirko-Carney assumed the position of Executive Director to support the organization’s transition toward a sustainable vision. In 2015, Carney’s Kids Foundation recruited Kris Parsons to serve as its third Executive Director. Under Parsons’ leadership the organization established key processes, policies, and strategies to help the organization attain financial stability.  Mel Weith joined the Board in 2015 and served as the Executive Director’s position from 2017 to 2021. In 2022, Board Member Bridget Nations was elected as Executive Director and held that position until 2025. And in early 2026, board secretary Michelle McClard was elected as the Foundation’s sixth Executive Director.

Carney’s Kids began with just 5 partner charities in 2000. As of 2025, Carney’s Kids has supported over 70 organizations that aim to improve the lives of children and young adults.

Major Programming and Activity

  • CarneyVal – This late-Winter event replaced former annual fundraiser, Spooktacular. With increased attendance, sponsorship, and auction items, CarneyVal became Carney’s Kids most successful fundraiser to-date.

  • Music Bingo – A first-time event for Carney’s Kids this year, and we’re excited! And let’s face it - who doesn’t love music?!? This promises to be an evening filled with lots of your favorite tunes with friends and family! And bring those boogie shoes…you just never know if the music might move ya!

  • Irish Road Bowling - Irish Road Bowling - a traditional Irish sport where teams of 4 compete to throw a 28-ounce iron ball down a predetermined 1–2 mile course of open roads in the fewest throws. Our inaugural event held in June of 2024, on the Streets of New Town in St. Charles, MO. was a huge success. The event has been moved to the Fall and will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

  • Candy Cane Lane - Since 2021, the Carney’s Kids’ Board has welcomed the chance to spend an evening on “Candy Cane Lane” in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood. The festively decorated street in the 6500 block of Murdoch Ave. in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood, draws visitors from far and wide. The neighborhood association invites local charities to accept donations during that time. Carney’s Kids is grateful to the those who have supported us, and our partner charities, on these special evenings.

  • Individual hosted charities – Other organizations including the St. Patrick’s Day committee, the Corvette Club and Hallmark Stone have held independent fundraisers with the proceeds going to Carney’s Kids Foundation.

Previous Programming and Activities

  • Annual Spooktacular – A Halloween themed fundraiser with comedy entertainment, costumes, and a silent auction. All proceeds from the event went directly to Carney’s Kids Foundation partner charities. This event was replace by CarneyVal.

  • Taste of Restaurant Tuesday – A cookbook published by John Carney with highlighting famous recipes from St. Louis local restaurants. All proceeds from the book went directly to Carney’s Kids Foundation partner charities.

  • Taste of Restaurant Tuesday Second Edition – A follow up cookbook published by John Carney with highlighting famous recipes from St. Louis local restaurants. All proceeds from the book go directly to Carney’s Kids Foundation and can be purchased in the online store.

  • Trick Or Trivia - A Halloween themed trivia night, held virtually in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, we were grateful to return to a live format; hosting the event at T.A.S.K. in Fenton, who is one of our partner charities. Teams competed in a friendly atmosphere to answer questions about a variety of categories, with great food, refreshments, raffles, and prizes.

  • Giving Tuesday and Give STL Day – Carney’s Kids Foundation participated in two annual giving initiatives coordinated by the Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis. These events focused on online giving to St. Louis-based non-profits.

2025 grant receipients