Welcome
A little about ourselves
Tahnee’s Kids Fund is a Private Foundation. We were listed as a non-profit but never took advantage of the full benefits of that classification. We still do the same activities for the kids, just without possessing the 501(c) 3.
We are dedicated to improving the lives of the children on the Qualla Boundary and surrounding areas. Our Mission is to assist in molding confident and motivated children. Our commitment is to ensure young children in this area are provided basic essentials for their needs.
Our goal is to sponsor young children in area schools with required school supplies, sponsor children in available academic tutoring programs, assure children have the opportunity to have gifts on Christmas, provide emergency foster placed children with “quick care packages”. Other Services will include: The Child and Family Services Christmas Store, Sports Clinics, 5K Runs/Walks.
We are dedicated to improving the lives of the children on the Qualla Boundary and surrounding areas. Our Mission is to assist in molding confident and motivated children. Our commitment is to ensure young children in this area are provided basic essentials for their needs.
Our goal is to sponsor young children in area schools with required school supplies, sponsor children in available academic tutoring programs, assure children have the opportunity to have gifts on Christmas, provide emergency foster placed children with “quick care packages”. Other Services will include: The Child and Family Services Christmas Store, Sports Clinics, 5K Runs/Walks.
Our family started this Private Foundation to raise money for needy children in this area. We have since continued our organization by participating in children's events in our communities.
It is in memory of Tahnee Arkansas. Tahnee was a head start teacher at the Dora Reed Child Care Center here in Cherokee. She also went to Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC. She LOVED kids and they loved her. She was 21 when she passed, she was in a car accident. It was a very, very sad day in our community. We live on the Qualla Boundary- (Cherokee Indian Reservation) Cherokee, North Carolina.
It is in memory of Tahnee Arkansas. Tahnee was a head start teacher at the Dora Reed Child Care Center here in Cherokee. She also went to Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC. She LOVED kids and they loved her. She was 21 when she passed, she was in a car accident. It was a very, very sad day in our community. We live on the Qualla Boundary- (Cherokee Indian Reservation) Cherokee, North Carolina.
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The billboard we put up. It was important to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and concern.
RECENT NEWS:
JUNE 19 We will be participating in EBCI Family Safety's End of School Summer Bash in the Snowbird Community!
April 2025 was a busy month for us.
We participated in the Week Of The Young Child April 10. It's ALWAYS a fun event- Even in the rain!
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The second annual Autism Celebration was April 19. We had a great turn out and it was held indoors. (Waiting on pictures)
2024 CHEROKEE INDIAN FAIR- Children's Day
We had an absolute blast!! Happenings at our tent were: Bubble Hair, Face painting, Face gems, Twisty balloons and cotton candy. We also had three jump houses kids were going crazy in ! Thank you to Chris Watty, Lisa Frady and Sean Ross for allowing us to participate in the Children's Day event.
To see more about 2024 Children's Day, go to the tab at the top of this page. ^^^
We had an absolute blast!! Happenings at our tent were: Bubble Hair, Face painting, Face gems, Twisty balloons and cotton candy. We also had three jump houses kids were going crazy in ! Thank you to Chris Watty, Lisa Frady and Sean Ross for allowing us to participate in the Children's Day event.
To see more about 2024 Children's Day, go to the tab at the top of this page. ^^^
On April 25, 2024 We participated in the first Cherokee Autism Celebration. Thank you to Candy Ross and Amanda Bradley of the Dora Reed Head Start Center for inviting us to participate.
2024 Week of the Young Child was and annual celebration on April 18, 2024 held at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds on Aquoni Road in Cherokee. Hundreds of families and children attend this event each year.
We are happy to say we are still making donations to the Tahnee's Kids Clothes Closet. This "Closet" helps children in need of clothes & shoes at the Cherokee Elementary School. They are referred by their teacher to the school Social Worker who then contacts Tahnee's Kids Fund.
Our 2023 Easter Eggstravaganza:
**** NEED LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS****
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Parking will be in the American Legion field adjacent to the Yellowhill Activity Center.
*Waiver must be signed for kids jumping in the bouncy houses
*Easter Bunny will be there
*All activities are FREE
*Ages 0-10
*Egg hunts for age groups
*Hot dog plates including drink and chips will be for sale- $6
*Lots of fun, games and prizes
We have missed this event so much! We felt it was better to take precaution during the pandemic. It is long overdue. So spread the word. More details will follow.
Tahnee's Kids Fund is happy to announce we purchased books for Mountain Discovery Charter School's 2020 school year
Ms. Kristen's kindergarten class and Ms. Londa's fourth grade class
Ms. Kristen's kindergarten class and Ms. Londa's fourth grade class
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We again purchased books for 2021 school year. The books went to the sixth grade and second grade.
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A great big THANK YOU to Cherokee Choices for their donation of proceeds from the 2019 Cherokee Turkey Trot. |
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Tahnee's Kids Fund would like to thank the 2019 Right Path Cohort-Anetsodi Challenge for their generous donation to our organizations. Congratulations for all your accomplishments. |
On Friday June 28, 2019 at 9pm, it will be the fifth anniversary of Tahnee's passing. We will be having a candlelight vigil at the Unity Fields in Cherokee.
This article was written by Juanita Wilson, an enrolled member of the EBCI
A Brief Dance with an Angel Women AdvaNCe womenadvancenc.org
www.womenadvancenc.org /2019/06/05/a-brief-dance. June 5, 2019
A Brief Dance with an Angel Women AdvaNCe womenadvancenc.org
www.womenadvancenc.org /2019/06/05/a-brief-dance. June 5, 2019
We are having a Spaghetti dinner fundraiser to raise
money for our 2nd Easter Egg Fun event.
The fundraiser is March 29 at the Paintown Gym in Cherokee.
$8/plate.
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"Cherokee Elementary School's existing clothes closet has a new name. Tahnee's Kids Fund has reached out to us, wanting to do something once again for our community. Tahnee's Kids Clothes Closet will be available for every student in the Cherokee Elementary School, whether the need be shoes, shirts, or pants. Michelle Bradley Wesley and family are always looking for opportunities to do something for our children here on the Qualla Boundary. We are so appreciative to Tahnee's Kids Fund and their generous donation and the family's willingness to share Tahnee's memory with us." Pictured L to R : Paula Coker, CES Principal, Michelle Wesley Bradley and Lisa Cucumber, CES Social Worker. May 6, 2019 
We were glad to help the 3rd grade at Mountain Discovery Charter School
this past winter. We bought classroom supplies and purchased each child a book to read over the holiday break. |
Tahnee's Kids Fund donated $500 to the
Cherokee Children's Christmas Shop. The shop was held December 3-7. We also volunteered our time to decorate the "shop" for them. It was a lot of fun, especially knowing it's for Kid's Christmas! |
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On Saturday, March 24, 2018 Tahnee's Kids Fund will be hosting a free Easter egg event at the Cherokee Fair Grounds. We will also have crafts, prizes and snacks. In case of rain, it will be held in the exhibit hall of the Fairgrounds. Enter on the side of the museum.
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IN JUNE 2018 WE ARE HAVING A THREE-DAY
YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP
It will be held at the Cherokee High School.
It is set for June 7-9. ALL youth football age kids can participate. Offense and Defense lineman clinics- linebackers and running back clinics. More details to follow. We will require a participant registration form. Fee will be $30. We will provide a camp shirt and "end of camp" pizza party. Scholarships available- Message Tahnee's Kids Fund on FB for more info.
YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP
It will be held at the Cherokee High School.
It is set for June 7-9. ALL youth football age kids can participate. Offense and Defense lineman clinics- linebackers and running back clinics. More details to follow. We will require a participant registration form. Fee will be $30. We will provide a camp shirt and "end of camp" pizza party. Scholarships available- Message Tahnee's Kids Fund on FB for more info.
Look for us at the
Robbinsville parade - December 9 and the Cherokee parade- December 16 |
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Tahnee's Kids Fund is excited about this year's school year starting soon.
We are planning to do something a little different this year.
We are once again working with the Cherokee Elementary School and the social worker, Lisa Cucumber, to sponsor 5 children for this year's school year. We will be getting backpacks, school supplies, shoes or whatever the 5 children will need for the 2017-2018 school year.
We are planning to do something a little different this year.
We are once again working with the Cherokee Elementary School and the social worker, Lisa Cucumber, to sponsor 5 children for this year's school year. We will be getting backpacks, school supplies, shoes or whatever the 5 children will need for the 2017-2018 school year.
So far this school year, we have donated school supplies, shoes, backpacks and winter clothing to the children we are sponsoring. :)
We were able to assist the Cherokee High School Travel Club with this year's proceeds from the 2017 ARKANSAS #23 TOURNAMENT. We gave a check to Principal Foerst to help students with their trip to Ireland.
Pat Hill- Tournament Coordinator 828-508-0912
May 2018
18 and older.
*VENDORS WELCOME* $350 entry fee
****FIRST PLACE $4,000****
May 2018
18 and older.
*VENDORS WELCOME* $350 entry fee
****FIRST PLACE $4,000****
Proceeds from this event will go toward tutoring and supplies of the needy children here. It will also go toward the Christmas Store of the Family Services program in Cherokee.
This year, we will again be helping at the Special Olympics Spring Games held at Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville NC. We will have a booth for our organization. Date is April 28 (Rain date May 5) This year the theme will be "Super Hero". It will be a fun event! We are looking forward to it!! |
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We will be having an Indian Taco fundraiser on November 21 for our trip to Standing Rock. Famous Frybread made by Toni Tahquette! Indian Tacos and drink $8.
We will be located at booth #2 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds.. Come out and support TAHNEE'S KIDS FUND and help us get to Standing Rock to deliver winter supplies |
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We made two trips to Standing Rock last year. Once, in August to take school supplies and water. In December, we took winter supplies including water, tarps, winter clothing, first aid, etc.
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On October 27, 2016 Tahnee's Kids Fund was asked to participate in the Dora Reed Headstart Center Trick or Treat festivities. It was a lot of fun. Thank you.
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Tahnee’s Kids, a charitable organization named for the late Tahnee Arkansas, donated a total of $604.79 worth of school supplies to Cherokee Elementary School on Wednesday, July 27. The organization raises money through various fundraisers and events and donates to children in need. Shown (left-right) are Mike Rogers, Cherokee Elementary School assistant principal; Lisa Cucumber, CES social worker; Michelle Bradley, Tahnee’s mother; and Bryan Wesley, Tahnee’s step-father. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather) Cherokee One Feather August 1, 2016
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We received a nice thank you note and a picture of some of the kids who benefited from the school supplies donated by Tahnee's Kids Fund. Our fund is currently working with the social worker at the elementary school, Lisa Cucumber. We recently donated clothes and shoes to the needy children at Cherokee Elementary School. We have a few book bags for students who are without one at the time.
Since our donation in July, we have donated additional book bags, shoes and clothing to Cherokee Elementary School. I have more book bags and clothes to donate to them.
Tahnee's Kids- Ducky Derby
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Our Ducky Derby was a lot of fun today. We sold 45 ducks. This will be the last event we have to go toward the CES school supply purchases.
Thanks to Doug Reed, Hatcheries and Wildlife Supervisor, John Cooper and Doug's dad, Doug for helping retrieve the ducks. |
We appreciate everyone who made the effort to attend the Candle light Vigil this year.
We gathered together to honor our lost loved ones.
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Thanks to everyone who came to the Corn Hole Tournament and Pig Pickin' we had. It was a lot of fun! |
The Tahnee's Kids Basketball Skills Camp lasted two years. We regret it is no longer one of our events.
THE 2016 TOURNAMENT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. We would like to send out a big thank you to all those who participated. Hope to see you and more next year!!
We will begin planning our 2017 Tournament soon. EVENT CANCELLED-
We will begin planning our 2017 Tournament soon. EVENT CANCELLED-
***Monies from our first #23 Arkansas Basketball Tournament will go to to assist in the "Homework Club". We donated $7,488.95 to the Cherokee Elementary School on April 8th for their 2016-2017 school year.
Our Spring 2016 SPLASH OF COLOR DASH proceeds which was held on APRIL 2, went to the Cherokee Children's Coalition for the Children's Fair and Week of the Young Child.
Cherokee One Feather April 8 at 1:59pm ·
Officials from the Tahnee’s Kids Fund gave a $1,075 check to the Cherokee Children’s Coalition on Friday, April 8. Last weekend, both groups joined together to host the 2nd Annual Splash of Color Dash, and the proceeds for that event were donated to the Coalition for the Week of the Young Child Children’s Fair that will be held Thursday, April 21. Shown (left-right) Emily Behm, CCC treasurer; Amanda Bradley, CCS secretary; Sarah Beck, CCC chairman; Laura Lambert; Bryan Wesley; Michelle Wesley; Perry Arkansas; Emra Arkansas; and Zae Millsaps. (Photo courtesy of Cherokee Children’s Coalition)
Officials from the Tahnee’s Kids Fund gave a $1,075 check to the Cherokee Children’s Coalition on Friday, April 8. Last weekend, both groups joined together to host the 2nd Annual Splash of Color Dash, and the proceeds for that event were donated to the Coalition for the Week of the Young Child Children’s Fair that will be held Thursday, April 21. Shown (left-right) Emily Behm, CCC treasurer; Amanda Bradley, CCS secretary; Sarah Beck, CCC chairman; Laura Lambert; Bryan Wesley; Michelle Wesley; Perry Arkansas; Emra Arkansas; and Zae Millsaps. (Photo courtesy of Cherokee Children’s Coalition)
EASTER 2016
Always willing to help out the Easter Bunny when he needs assistance and we were able to do just that
this year at East Elementary School. Several kids woke up to a happy Easter morning!
We had a lot of fun, like we always do a Jessie Welch's.
We plan to do more turkey shoots later in the year.
We plan to do more turkey shoots later in the year.
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On December 1, 2015 we sponsored two families of students at East Elementary School in Bryson City, North Carolina. Since this is a time of giving and compassion, it was an honor to be able to help make more children thankful and happy at Christmas. We received a thank you note from East Elementary for the donation.
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On September 29, 2015 was a very exciting day for us. Tahnee's Kids donatated $5,255.67 to the Family Services Christmas Store. A big " Thank you" to those who volunteered and donated to the fundraisers and kids basketball camp we held.
Thank you to all who showed up to celebrate Tahnee's 23rd birthday on October 9, 2016.
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2017 Balloon release. We have the Balloon Release at the Unity Field in Cherokee. We included a slide show.
2018 Numbers have dwindled down but there are still quite a few people who come. |
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As of 2019, we decided to end the balloon release. It was too emotionally hard to continue and we were concerned about the environmental affects with the balloons.
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Tahnee was the Homecoming Queen in 2009; the first queen crowned at the new state of the art high school within the Cherokee Central School System in Cherokee, N.C. |
Each year, the new Cherokee High School Homecoming Queen will be crowned with the Tahnee Arkansas Memorial Crown, a magnificent Swarovski crystal crown.
After 10 years, it was time to retire the first crown and we will now donate a new
2025 Tahnee Arkansas Memorial Crown to Cherokee High School. It will be unveiled during halftime of the 2025 Cherokee Homecoming Game.
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If you would like to donate to this Fund, please click on the donation button.
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To see more on Tahnee go to:
https://digitallegacys.com/tahnee-arkansas Please leave a comment |