Organization:
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
Founded:
1991, by Dr. Dennis M. Nigro, an Encinitas plastic surgeon
Mission of organization:
Fresh Start endeavors to transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people with physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse or disease through reconstructive surgery.
About Fresh Start:
The organization brings patients from the United States and the world to San Diego to better manage their care and to let volunteers work closer to home and family. Fresh Start is one of few nonprofits that provide free reconstructive plastic surgery to U.S. based patients. The organization also provides patients with dental services, speech therapy, and transportation and lodging costs.
Significant milestone:
In 2005, the nonprofit launched Fresh Start Surgical Gifts Foundation, which funded by a gift from the estate of Jeanne Cox Brady. The Foundation funds all overhead operations so that 100 percent of all donations go to Fresh Start's medical programs.
Annual Revenue:
$3.4 million support and revenue
Corporate supporters:
AMN Healthcare, Barona Casino, Davlyn Investments, Dowling & Yahnke, Dr. Seuss Fund/San Diego Foundation, EDCO Disposal Corporation, Foley & Lardner, Kaiser Permanente, Procopio, Rockstar, Inc., San Diego Padres/ Jennifer Moores, Sempra Energy/SDG&E, Sundt Corporation, Valero Energy Corporation, Viejas Enterprises, Vons Company Charitable Foundation, California Office Maintenance, Dennis M. Nigro, MD, Inc., Morgan Run, Titleist and the Junior Seau Foundation.
Board chairman: Joe Johnson, president of California Office Maintenance
Board members:
Tim Lachman, Sean Hargaden, Prerna O'Hara, Patrick Tombelaine, Dr. Brian Reagan, Daneen Cox, Mitch Danzig, Dr. Edgar Ling, Dr. Michael Brucker, Marion Katz, Thomas Cavallo, Francesca Supple, Diane Schulman and Dr. Dennis M. Nigro (honorary member).
Number of employees: 14
Major yearly events:
Surgery weekends; dental clinics; Dream Day, Feb. 2; Celebrity Golf Classic, March 18-19; Butterfly Ball, Oct. 13.
Fresh Start's wish list:
An increase in financial support to establish a complete clinic that would include patient evaluation rooms, dental chairs and laser facilities.
How you measure success:
Fresh Start is running out of office space due to growth in services.
Best recent moment:
An 11-year-old patient, who never looked directly at people because of his protruding ears, emerged from surgery with his head up and a huge smile on his face. His self-esteem boost exemplified the emotional transformation that patients show following surgery.
How to get involved:
Volunteer. Seeing a child grow and smile because of the generosity of others is extremely rewarding. Medical and dental volunteers, non-medical volunteers for surgery weekends, office help and event volunteers are always needed. Donations for auctions are also graciously accepted.
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
Founded:
1991, by Dr. Dennis M. Nigro, an Encinitas plastic surgeon
Mission of organization:
Fresh Start endeavors to transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people with physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse or disease through reconstructive surgery.
About Fresh Start:
The organization brings patients from the United States and the world to San Diego to better manage their care and to let volunteers work closer to home and family. Fresh Start is one of few nonprofits that provide free reconstructive plastic surgery to U.S. based patients. The organization also provides patients with dental services, speech therapy, and transportation and lodging costs.
Significant milestone:
In 2005, the nonprofit launched Fresh Start Surgical Gifts Foundation, which funded by a gift from the estate of Jeanne Cox Brady. The Foundation funds all overhead operations so that 100 percent of all donations go to Fresh Start's medical programs.
Annual Revenue:
$3.4 million support and revenue
Corporate supporters:
AMN Healthcare, Barona Casino, Davlyn Investments, Dowling & Yahnke, Dr. Seuss Fund/San Diego Foundation, EDCO Disposal Corporation, Foley & Lardner, Kaiser Permanente, Procopio, Rockstar, Inc., San Diego Padres/ Jennifer Moores, Sempra Energy/SDG&E, Sundt Corporation, Valero Energy Corporation, Viejas Enterprises, Vons Company Charitable Foundation, California Office Maintenance, Dennis M. Nigro, MD, Inc., Morgan Run, Titleist and the Junior Seau Foundation.
Board chairman: Joe Johnson, president of California Office Maintenance
Board members:
Tim Lachman, Sean Hargaden, Prerna O'Hara, Patrick Tombelaine, Dr. Brian Reagan, Daneen Cox, Mitch Danzig, Dr. Edgar Ling, Dr. Michael Brucker, Marion Katz, Thomas Cavallo, Francesca Supple, Diane Schulman and Dr. Dennis M. Nigro (honorary member).
Number of employees: 14
Major yearly events:
Surgery weekends; dental clinics; Dream Day, Feb. 2; Celebrity Golf Classic, March 18-19; Butterfly Ball, Oct. 13.
Fresh Start's wish list:
An increase in financial support to establish a complete clinic that would include patient evaluation rooms, dental chairs and laser facilities.
How you measure success:
Fresh Start is running out of office space due to growth in services.
Best recent moment:
An 11-year-old patient, who never looked directly at people because of his protruding ears, emerged from surgery with his head up and a huge smile on his face. His self-esteem boost exemplified the emotional transformation that patients show following surgery.
How to get involved:
Volunteer. Seeing a child grow and smile because of the generosity of others is extremely rewarding. Medical and dental volunteers, non-medical volunteers for surgery weekends, office help and event volunteers are always needed. Donations for auctions are also graciously accepted.