The Mudd Nick Foundation Produces Successful Virtual Fundraising Event
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mudd Nick Foundation conducted its annual fundraising event virtually using Zoom on the evening of September 19, 2020. It was a celebration of the Foundation’s 25 years of providing the 850 students in School District 56 with life expanding experiences. Hosted live by board members, Lynn Mudd and Brad Mudd, the program featured previously filmed presentations by Superintendent Paul Erlebach and teachers, performances by the Neah-Kah-Nie High School choir and band, and speeches by students Karissa Haderman and Meien Shiomi, and several other children who described the impacts the Mudd Nick Foundation has had on their lives. Board president, Monica Isbell said, “With the 2020-2021 school year commencing using a distance learning platform, we are uncertain at this point how the Foundation will provide programs to students, but understand it is imperative for us to work closely with Superintendent Paul Erlebach, the administrators and teachers to ensure we continue to positively impact the lives of these children in meaningful, long-lasting ways just as we have during the past 25 years. Our mission is just as relevant today. Though we are operating in an unfamiliar, difficult environment, we are up to the task.“ Ms. Isbell thanked donors “for having confidence in us to be good stewards of your donations. We won’t disappoint. Because of you, the MNF will continue to deliver consequential experiences to the children in North Tillamook County that inspire them to set their sights high, to blossom and to succeed in a challenging world.” Donors contributed via the Foundation’s website (www.muddnickfoundation.com). Two backpacks containing gift certificates to many merchants in the community that have supported the Foundation through the years were raffled. The Foundation is grateful to all of its donors, past and present, and to all the board members and volunteers who planned and executed the successful fundraising event.
Our Mission
Our mission is to broaden the horizons of all children in North Tillamook County through programs in collaboration with our community partners.
The purpose of the Mudd Nick Foundation is to provide learning experiences that stimulate children to aspire to their greatest potential and to pursue their dreams.
Our Vision
Our vision is that the children in our community become life-long stellar citizens who expand their life experiences, minds and curiosities; accept responsibility for their actions; treat themselves and others with respect; maintain high personal integrity; exhibit socially-accepted behavior; and have fun participating in the programs.
Our Programs
The Programs are designed to teach children the fundamentals of lifelong stellar citizenship by encouraging them to be responsible for their individual actions, respect themselves and others, maintain high integrity, exhibit socially accepted behaviors, expand their life experiences, minds and curiosities.
GBAM Program provides a week-long art experience for students with special needs and culminates with a community performance and dinner for youth participants, their families and community members.
PX2 Program provides youth of our community the tools to make the transitioning from adolescent to adult, which can be a confusing and frightening time, easier. Mudd Nick Foundation has sponsored middle school students to learn tools that help them with the transition.
Our History
Jim Mudd and Doug Nicholson, friends since their days at Oregon State University, decided to start a coed golf tournament in 1990, which they christened the Mudd Nick Invitational. In 2006, the Mudd Nick Foundation was formed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a board of nine directors was selected to develop a Vision, Mission, Guiding Principles and Objectives. During the last two decades, in excess of $1,600,000 has been raised to support over 60 Learning Experiences annually for all students in Neah-Kah-Nie School District 56.
Our Annual Event
Since 1988, people associated with the Mudd Nick Foundation have celebrated the third weekend in September with an 18-hole golf tournament on Saturday. In 1996, the Foundation began raising money during a dinner and charity auction on that Saturday evening to fund life-enhancing learning experiences for all students in School District 56 in North Tillamook County. Our 2020 fundraising event was held in a virtual format on September 19th.
In Memory of Jim Mudd
February 28th, 1941 – October 1st, 2018
Jim Mudd, a co-founder of the Mudd Nick Foundation, was instrumental in the Foundation’s growth, evolution and success for over two decades. As a role model, he ignited a passion in all those associated with the Foundation for serving the children of North Tillamook County that continues to burn bright despite his death. His legacy lives on through the important work of the Foundation. Jim was respected, admired and loved. We miss him profoundly.
