Welcome
Supporting the Cancer Community and Serving Up Hope... Family Style!
Empowering, encouraging and celebrating cancer warriors of all ages,
and inspiring youth to be creative and compassionate.
About Us - Our MiSSION
About Us - Our Mission
Short Folks For Hope Foundation is a 501(c)(3) cancer support charity founded by breast cancer survivor Kristen Short. Kristen is a singer/songwriter, wife to Chris and mother of three. Through Kristen's cancer journey, which began July 15, 2010, she has met many courageous cancer warriors and kind caregivers and supporters who inspire her and give her hope. Kristen desires to help others impacted by cancer and to inspire youth to be involved in charitable efforts, and she founded Short Folks For Hope Foundation September 6, 2012.
OUR MISSION:
* to empower, encourage and celebrate cancer warriors of all ages with our special projects:
The Hope Bear Project (providing Hope Bears and Encouragement Packs to cancer patients to bring comfort and foster hope, and also providing Angel Hope Bears and Memory Packs to families whose warrior has earned their wings);
Wishes For Hope (creatively fulfilling little wishes for cancer patients);
Vivian St. Onge Memorial Rickshaw Team (enabling cancer warriors to experience the joy and exhilaration of charity cycling events with team pedicab drivers; inspired by late cancer warrior and beloved SFFHF Board Member Vivian St. Onge 1959-2014; have provided 60 cancer warrior rides at the Dempsey Challenge events 2014 to 2020);
Furry Ambassadors For Hope (bringing smiles with visits to kids with life-threatening illnesses, respite camps, hospitals, charity and community events with our Furry Ambassadors/Mascots Lagoona and Kuiper the Dutch Angel Dragons, and Mama Bear Kalliope, Spokesbear of the Hope Bear Project);
Supers For Hope and Princesses For Hope (encouraging kids to "Stay strong, be kind, and never give up hope!" with visits to kids with life-threatening illnesses, respite camps, hospitals, charity and community events with our superhero and princess characters);
Musicians For Hope (with Singer/Songwriter Kristen Short, Bringing music, prayer and comfort to those in cancer care and hospice);
Youth Ambassadors For Hope (motivating, guiding and providing opportunities for youth to be compassionate, creative, hope-fostering members of our communities, and recognizing outstanding charitable efforts by youth);
The Short Family's Cool Treats For Charity Nonprofit Frozen Treat Pushcart (raises funds and awareness for Short Folks For Hope Foundation, cancer warrior family fundraisers, and other local charities. See the Cool Treats For Charity website at www.cooltreats.org).
We are 100% volunteer directed and operated with no salaried staff. Your donations go right to making a difference in a cancer warrior's life.
KRISTEN SHORT - MUSIC AND AWARDS
In 2011 Kristen wrote and released the song and video "Chairs" about her cancer journey. She dedicated the song to the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing (now named Dempsey Center). One hundred percent of "Chairs" music downloads (available on the www.kristenshort.com website and other digital retailers) benefits Short Folks For Hope Foundation and Dempsey Center. See the video on the "About Us" tab.
In October 2012 Kristen was named the Amgen Breakaway From Cancer Survivor Award recipient at the 2012 Dempsey Challenge.
In 2014 Kristen wrote and released the song, "Smile," dedicated to late Short Folks For Hope Foundation Board member Vivian St. Onge. One hundred percent of "Smile" music downloads (available on the www.kristenshort.com website and other digital retailers) benefits Short Folks For Hope Foundation.
In September 2019, Kristen was awarded as one of Maine's Coast 93.1 "20 Outstanding Women" of 2019. Listen to Kristen's interview here.
On July 15, 2023, Kristen celebrated her 13th cancerversary and is currently in remission. She is grateful for all the love, support and prayers she has received!
Kristen Short and children during her breast cancer treatment, 2011. Photo by husband Chris Short.
Supporting the cancer community...family style!
The Short Family and Trent Newton, six of the Team Short Folks For Hope / Vivian St. Onge Memorial Rickshaw Team Members, at Dempsey Challenge 2019. Photo by Beth Comeau.
our projects - #1
Youth Ambassadors For Hope-Team Short Folks For Hope (est.2012)
Short Folks For Hope Foundation started out as a fundraising charitable organization in 2012. Kristen and the Short Family have been active participants in the annual Dempsey Challenge, fundraising event for cancer support care organization, Dempsey Center (formerly The Patrick Dempsey Center For Cancer Hope & Healing. The Dempsey Center provides services to cancer patients and their families free of charge. From 2011 to 2020, the Short Family and their small youth-majority Team Short Folks For Hope raised over $80,000 for the Dempsey Center with their own fundraising plus the Positive Tracks 50% matching donation (granted for teams comprised of at least 50% youth for the 2011 through 2017 events).
With our Youth Ambassadors For Hope project, we are motivating, guiding and providing opportunities for youth to be compassionate, creative, hope-fostering members of our communities, and we recognize outstanding charitable efforts by youth.
Motivating, guiding and providing opportunities for youth to be compassionate, creative, hope-fostering members of our communities
OUR PROJECTS - #2
The Short Family's Cool Treats For Charity Pushcart (Est. 2013)
Cool Treats for Charity is a nonprofit frozen treat mobile pushcart business owned and established in 2013 by Kristen Short and operated by The Short Family at community and charity events and private functions. Proceeds from the sale of our frozen treats, snacks and beverages benefit local charity. Since our first event in the summer of 2013, Cool Treats For Charity has donated over $5,000 to Short Folks For Hope and other local charities (Dempsey Center, Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, Androscoggin Hospice House, American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, Team Hailey Hugs, Responsible Pet Care, Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake, and more), and have also donated to fundraisers for families with loved ones going through cancer treatment. For more information and/or to book Cool Treats For Charity at an event, see our website at www.cooltreats.org
Cool Treats For Charity
Cool Treats...Warm Hearts
OUR PROJECT #3
The Vivian St. Onge Memorial Rickshaw Team (est. 2014)
Vivian St. Onge (1959-2014) was an energetic and kind philanthropist, oncology nurse, political activist, entrepreneur, crafter and adept cyclist who lived life to the absolute fullest despite a three-year battle with stage IV breast cancer. Vivian was a dedicated supporter and independent fundraiser for The Dempsey Center/Dempsey Challenge. Even though she was in active cancer treatment, Vivian courageously completed the 50-mile Dempsey Challenge cycling event in 2011. She was a beloved board member of the Short Folks For Hope Foundation.
Due to her increased health challenges, Vivian was not able to ride in the 2013 Dempsey Challenge, but she was there at the finish line enthusiastically cheering all the cancer warriors on. Anyone who knew Vivian knew how much she loved cycling and how her heart longed to be on the road again.
After a valiant battle, Vivian earned her angel wings February 28, 2014. She is forever in our hearts and the hearts of those who had the great fortune of knowing her. Before Vivian passed, she spoke to her family, Kristen and other friends about several cancer warrior empowering wishes of hers that she wanted to see to fruition. Short Folks For Hope Foundation is honored to have helped make one of Vivian’s wishes a reality in 2014, The Vivian St. Onge Memorial Rickshaw Project at the Dempsey Challenge Cycling Event. This project enables cancer warriors who are unable to cycle in the Dempsey Challenge cycling event the opportunity to ride on Vivian's Rickshaw Team with a team pedicab driver from Flow Pedicab Company. They experience the joy and exhilaration of riding in the event and crossing the finish line, where they are showered with cheers, hugs and hope and are donned with a team medal. The Vivian St. Onge Memorial Rickshaw Team presented by Short Folks For Hope Foundation is an annual project at the Dempsey Challenge cycling event since its debut in 2014 and is operated, funded and managed by the Short Folks For Hope Foundation. For more information about The Dempsey Challenge, see http://www.dempseycenter.org. The Vivian St. Onge Memorial Rickshaw Team provided 60 rides for cancer warriors in the 2014 to 2020 Dempsey Challenge events.
Enabling cancer warriors to experience the joy and exhilaration of charity cycling events
OUR PROJECT #4
The Hope Bear Project (Est. 2016)
Meet our hope-fostering friends, Hobart, Hailey, Cam, Mama Bear Kalliope, and Angel, the Hope Bears! With Short Folks For Hope Foundation's Hope Bear Project, we give our Hope Bear Encouragement Packs to cancer warriors of all ages to bring comfort and to be cheery friends and travel buddies on their courageous adventures. The Hope Bears have our Short Folks For Hope Foundation smile logo on the front and the Short family's hugging trademark, "HGH - Hugs Given Here," to help remind warriors that we are here for them! We also give personalized Angel Hope Bear Memory Packs to families whose warrior has earned their wings.
Shining star Cancer Warrior Karen was our first cancer warrior to receive a Hobart the Hope Bear in June 2016. The name Hobart means "bright shining one," and he accompanied Karen to her medical appointments, treatments and hospital stays, and family adventures throughout her cancer journey. Hailey the Hope Bear and Cam the Hope Bear are namesakes of two courageous young cancer warriors who are an inspiration to us and actively help other families who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Mama Bear the Hope Bear (also known as Kalliope) is the namesake of our founder, Kristen, who has the determination to fight cancer, raise a family, help others, and never gives up hope.
Want to help? A $50 donation helps sponsor a Hope Bear Encouragement Pack for a cancer warrior or an Angel Hope Bear Memory Pack for a bereaved family. Online donations can be made here: https://donorbox.org/shortfolksforhope Want to request a Hope Bear/Encouragement Pack for a loved one in cancer treatment or an Angel Hope Bear Memory Pack for a bereaved family? Contact Short Folks For Hope Founder/Executive Director Kristen Short at (888) 522-6987, email info@shortfolks.org, for an application.
Providing Hope Bears and Encouragement Packs to children and adults with life-threatening illnesses to bring comfort and to foster hope.
Our Project - #5
Wishes For Hope (Est. 2016)
Short Folks For Hope Foundation has been creatively fulfilling little wishes for advanced stage cancer warriors since 2016. Some of the wishes we've granted include:
* a special helicopter flight for a military veteran over his hometown;
* a season's pass to an amusement park for a pediatric warrior;
* a horseback ride for a cancer warrior who hadn't been able to ride in years;
* a horseback ride for a cancer warrior who wanted to take her first ride;
* a lovely wig for a young mom with long hair who was losing her hair to cancer treatment;
* planting wished-for flowers in a cancer warrior's garden;
* small grants for cancer families to help with treatment travel expenses;
and more.
Want to request consideration for a Wishes For Hope grant for a loved one in cancer treatment? Contact Short Folks For Hope Founder/Executive Director Kristen Short at (888) 522-6987, email info@shortfolks.org, for an application.
Creatively fulfilling little wishes for cancer warriors
Our project - #6
Furry Ambassadors For Hope (With Our Mascots Lagoona and Kuiper the Dutch Angel Dragons and Mama Bea
Our Furry Ambassador, Lagoona the Dutch Angel Dragon, arrived in 2017, and she has been bringing smiles to kids with life-threatening illnesses and supporting charitable efforts in our communities ever since. Lagoona is an energetic and fun character who visits cancer warriors in treatment, respite camps, cancer centers and charity functions, and she is loved by children and adults alike. Furry Ambassador Kuiper the Dutch Angel Dragon arrived in February 2020, and Hope Bear Project Spokesbear Mama Bear Kalliope arrived in 2022.
The Furry Ambassadors For Hope Project is founded and managed by Short Folks For Hope Ambassador Allie Short. The Dutch Angel Dragon species was created by Deanna Biesemeyer. Lagoona character was created by Allie Short. Mama Bear Kalliope character was created by Allie and Kristen Short. Lagoona, Kuiper and Kalliope fursuits created by Craig Ames of CCS Mascots.
Bringing smiles to kids with life-threatening illnesses and supporting charitable efforts in our communities with Furry Ambassadors Lagoona, Kuiper and Mama Bear Kalliope!
OUR PROJECTS - #7
Supers For Hope (Est. 2018)
Short Folks For Hope Foundation's Supers For Hope project is founded and managed by Youth Ambassador Ian Short. Our superheroes encourage kids (and adults) to “Stay Strong!” and support charitable efforts in our communities.
Our current "Supers" include Spider-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Spider-Gwen and Black Widow.
Encouraging kids
to "Stay Strong!"
with our Supers For Hope
OUR PROJECT #8
Princesses For Hope (est. 2020)
Our Short Folks For Hope Foundation's Princesses For Hope Project encourages youth to stay strong, be kind, and never give up hope. Our first Royal Tea fundraising event was held September 2022 in Mechanic Falls, Maine, and featured royal guests Glinda the Good of Oz, Queen Elsa, Princess Ariel, Princess Jasmine, Princess Belle, Mulan, and Mary Poppins with food, musical performances and sing-alongs, crafts, activities and raffles. Our first event was a wonderful success and we look forward to more royal events and visiting cancer warriors with our Princesses For Hope!
Encouraging youth to be kind and never give up hope, with our Princesses For Hope
OUR PROJECT #9
Musicians For Hope with Singer/Songwriter Kristen Short
With Singer/Songwriter Kristen Short's Musicians For Hope Project, she brings music, prayer and comfort to those in cancer care and hospice. Kristen sings hymns and contemporary songs of hope. Special song requests for a loved one are welcome.
Bringing music, prayer and comfort to those in cancer care and hospice
Our 2023 Sponsors
