July 20, 2023
Our Founder, Ann Dever
On a cold afternoon in February 2009, Ann Dever ran into her neighbor, Marcia Louden. After a little catching up, Ann asked how the children were doing during the economic downturn. At the time, Marcia Louden was the principal at L.A. Ainger Middle School and she knew exactly how the recession was impacting local kids.
Kids wore shoes with holes in them, that were too small, or that were held together with duct tape. Many had no sweaters or coats for chilly days and some came to school wrapped in blankets. Many did not have enough spare change in their pockets for a small lunch and went hungry rather than share their misfortune or admit that one or both parents had lost their jobs.
After hearing the sad news, Ann wanted to help. Ann had the time, and she certainly had the heart, to take on any challenge to do some good in her community. However, Ann was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of 74 and, knowing her own days were numbered, she contacted her friend Tom Dignam, a local businessman with Key Agency, to help. In April 2009, Ann, Tom, and a few other generous souls founded Kids’ Needs of Greater Englewood. Sadly, Ann passed away in October 2009 but her legacy lives on in the organization she inspired.