The Perry Kiwanis Club learned about the good deeds done by the Amanda the Panda organization last week when Megan Mondt and Madee Carder of Amanda the Panda visited their luncheon meeting.
Amanda the Panda was started in 1980 by Joanne Zimmerman in order to help support families who have received a diagnosis of pediatric cancer, Mondt and Carder said. Today the organization provides innovative grief support services that promote hope and healing to individuals and families after a loss of a loved one.
Amanda the Panda has a staff of four who work on grants and donations. They rely on volunteers, who offer ongoing grief services and classes year round in four seasonal support groups.
Each holiday season, volunteers with Amanda the Panda run a Cheer Box campaign that hands out gist boxes to kids and their families when they are dealing with a loss. Last year they handed out more than 200 boxes, and their goal for 2018 is 300 boxes.
