The Melonhead Foundation

Annual Report 2009

The Melonhead Foundation posted another successful year in 2009. Most remarkably for today’s economy, for the second year in a row our revenue increased and our Cost of Goods decreased. This accomplishment is attributed to our grass root organization and implementation. The foundation is supported by a volunteer board of trustees and a volunteer run charity. The Melonhead Foundation has only one paid staff member as a fund raising consultant.

Patient Aid Assistance Program

The primary purpose of The Foundation is the financial support of children 21 years of age or younger with any diagnosis of cancer. In 2009 the awards to families seeking helped were $27,444 plus an additional $720 in gift cards issued through our Christmas  Wish Tree program. Making our total revenue awarded $28,164. While this is a successful contribution, for the second year we are working with a waiting list of families. More professionals in social services are now aware of The Melonhead Foundation’s unique program and the charity is inundated with families in need weekly. The growing number of families on our waiting list validates the need for our unique service. The Melonhead Foundation is dedicated to the continuation of raising more funds through our own events, securing more grant funding from other corporations and increasing public awareness of the need in our community for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

Revenue Success

Fund raising income, donations and grants all showed an increase in 2009. Our revenue was up 13.9% over the 2008 fiscal year. Remaining true to our grass roots philosophy is the main reason for this success. Our fundraising efforts continue to be successful due to the support received from volunteers each year. Our volunteer grant writing trustees seeking and receive new funding each year.

Cost of Goods Sold

Again, remaining true to our grass roots was the sole reason that our Cost of Goods for our special events was decreased in 2009 by 9.3%.

Public Awareness

Each year as The Melonhead Foundation grows and continues its work in the community, our public awareness also increases. As more people learn of our work and the need in the community, our charity’s success increases. The exposure and growth in the community is priceless. In 2009, The Foundation added two new events to our fundraising calendar bringing us into new sectors of the community. Our United Way contributions as well as our S.E.C.C. contributions increased. Our greatest single success in 2009 was the partnership with the Phoenix Coyotes. In addition to grant funding the Coyotes supported The Melonhead Foundation with a charity night in October and the Coyotes Wives implemented our Christmas Wish Tree grogram within their organization in December. The Chandler Chamber of Commerce produced new awareness as The Foundation began a second year with this organization. As a result the charity was chosen as the beneficiary of Party in the Park held in October by Terra Solis Realty.

 Camp Wannahealyah & Wellness Center

The original inspiration for The Melonhead Foundation is the healing home and wellness center project that has been “in the wings” for many years. In 2009 with continued dedication toward seeing this wellness center become a realty, lease negotiations began for a Tempe property. The model of the Wannahealyah Wellness Center is a self-sustaining entity which will teach and implement natural healing practices as a compliment to western protocols for pediatric cancer patients and their families free of charge. The Melonhead Foundation is only $40,000 away from achieving this goal and establishing the first phase of project Camp Wannahealyah.

Thanks to each of you for assisting The Melonhead Foundation in another banner year supporting the needs of children with cancer and their families in our community. We are making a positive difference in the lives of our families on a very personal level addressing a need most other cancer charities do not recognize