SLADECHILD
FOUNDATION
OUR MISSION
Ensure that 100% of donations provide food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care to some of the world's most impoverished children.
SladeChild Foundation Charitable Trust is unique because 100% of donations are used to provide the five essentials of life: food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care to destitute children in the US and the world. These volunteer Trustees pay for administrative overhead costs, so that fully 100% of your donation can help needy children in the US and world.
Every penny donated helps a needy child. Thank you for your fully tax deductible generosity!
Meet Our Trustees & Ambassadors
Back Row: Hardy Foster, Nancy Plaxico, Shanna Combley, Craig Kellstrom
Front Row: John B. Martin, Karen Slade and Al Baumann
Karen Slade
Executive Director
Karen Slade oversees support for the SladeChild children's projects, and guides Trustee and Ambassador efforts. SladeChild's distinctive 100% policy, where every penny of donations is used to help destitute and at-risk children, is possible because all overhead expenses are paid by Trustees. SladeChild was founded in 1983 as a 501(c)3 charity with this unique 100% mission. To date, over $2 million dollars has been granted to help destitute children. Karen's late husband, David Slade, founded SladeChild Foundation in 1982. She shares David's vision that SladeChild supports the 5 essentials of life for destitute children, using every donated penny.
Karen worked for 35 years supporting NASA, NOAA, National Archives and HUD in the networks and security engineering field. She joined SladeChild as an Ambassador in 2001, continued as Trustee in 2013, and then as Executive Director in 2014.
Albert Baumann
Trustee
Al Baumann has been associated with SladeChild for over a decade, performing at many music events, and is currently managing all financial aspects of SladeChild's operations. He is a retired commercial lender, continuing to work as a financial consultant to businesses looking for financing. He performs regularly as a jazz vocalist and guitarist. Al and his lovely Swedish wife are residents of Bowie, MD.
Craig Kellstrom
Trustee
Craig Kellstrom has been a SladeChild Trustee since 2013. Craig's involvement with SladeChild came about as a percussionist with the Dance Night Out Fundraising Events. He volunteers his time to coordinate music fundraisers, and helps with publicity.
Craig was Public Relations Manager for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County. Craig is a 30+ year member of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association. Craig also served as the vice president and treasurer for the Prince George's County Public Relations Association. As a local small business owner for over 25 years, he started Craig Kellstrom Photography in 1977 which provided photography for conferences and business events, weddings, and public relations events. Craig graduated from the University of Maryland, College of Journalism 1976, and College of Human Ecology 1975. Hobbies and and interests include: playing drums for a classic rock band, kayaking, fishing, hiking, photography, water and snow skiing, and numerous other recreational pursuits. He and his wife reside in Annapolis, MD.
Nancy Plaxico
Trustee
Nancy Plaxico has been a Trustee since 2012. She was drawn to the developing world early in her life. After obtaining masters degrees in international relations and Asian studies, she started her career at the U.S. State Department. She later moved into the health field, but continued service to the needy in developing countries as a volunteer with international non-profit organizations. In addition to the SladeChild Foundation, she serves on the board of two other such organizations.
After beginning her work in health care at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, she moved to San Diego and in the 1980s was a founder of Community Care Network, a national health care management company that pioneered the development of preferred provider organizations. She helped lead the company for 15 years and was named Entrepreneur of the Year in San Diego for CCNs development.
She has held executive positions in other health care companies over the years, most recently as Vice President of Healthways. Nancy met SladeChild's founder David Slade at their church, Trinity United Methodist, where she learned of his dedication to children and lifelong work helping destitute children around the world. She is honored to help carry forward his vision and service to children as a Trustee of the SladeChild Foundation. She resides with her husband in Annapolis, MD.
Rosalie Donatelli
Trustee
Rosalie Donatelli is a Master Gardener, professional health coach, and businesswoman who resides with her husband in Bowie, MD. She joined SladeChild as a Trustee in 2018.
Hardy Foster
Trustee
Hardy Foster has worked for 20+ years testing and engineering NASA and NOAA systems. Hardy provides information technology support, and assists with the production of fundraising events.
David Wayne
Trustee
David Wayne Baust started as a SladeChild Ambassador in 2010 and became a Trustee in 2013. David plays in SladeChild's musical fundraisers each year, and continues to spread the word about SladeChild's 100% mission far and wide. He is a national, touring musician and former U.S. Marine. David enjoys giving back to the community, be it serving lunch to disabled Veterans, playing for the Wounded Warriors Project, or performing music at venues all over the United States. David resides in Charleston, WV with his wife Stacey. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Holly Hancock
Trustee
Holly Hancock worked for 20+ years assembling and launching satellites for NASA and NOAA. She guides SladeChild online communications and social media. She lives with her husband in Mt. Airy, NC.
Donna Tomas
Ambassador, Online Communications
Donna Tomas supports SladeChild marketing, website design, graphics, and online visibility.
John B. Martin Trustee Emeritus, Rest in Peace (November 2022)
John Martin passed away in Nov. 2022. He supported SladeChild as a Trustee since 2008. He retired from NASA after over 40 years as an aerospace engineer. May his soul rest in peace.