• utility and phone bills
  
• mortgage
• rent
• car payments
• transportation costs
• disability needs
• air conditioners for children with severe pulmonary, cardiac, dermatologic, liver, and kidney diseases
  
• medically necessary dietary supplements, special foods, and formulas
• co-pays
  
• child care
  
• funeral expenses

Nancy and David Ward Adaptive Assistance Program
This program focuses on the special needs of children with serious physical and mental disabilities. Financial assistance is provided for items like hearing aids, wheelchair adaptations, adaptive learning materials, computers, toys, and handicap-accessible renovations for homes. We also provide assistance for uninsured therapies like horseback riding and swim/water therapy classes, as well as special disease- or disability-related camps.

Financial Management Educational Video
Financial Management During Crisis is a 24-minute empowerment tool that educates parents about available hospital services and the importance of understanding insurance benefits and claims. The video also provides tips on personal family budgeting and medical record keeping. It stresses the importance of good communication and negotiation skills with creditors and addresses the "pride" issue in asking for help. The video is also a valuable sensitivity and educational tool for those new to the healthcare field, whether medical, nursing, or social work students, because it highlights the "other side" of medicine--the effects of serious illness on the family.

Family Fun Day Cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia
This great annual gift from the Spirit of Philadelphia allows us to provide an afternoon respite cruise for families caring for seriously ill or disabled children referred by the major pediatric hospitals and agencies of the greater Philadelphia area. Clowns, DJs, Miss Philadelphia, and various entertainment groups help patients and their families "escape" the traumas associated with serious illness and treatments. The cruise allows more than 400 parents, patients, and siblings to interact and enjoy each others' company while the caring Spirit of Philadelphia crew members volunteer their time to assure a memorable experience for all.

Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program
Families in crisis experience the true "spirit" of the holiday season through the generosity of our donors. Church groups, families, individuals, and businesses receive families' wish lists and provide gifts that may include clothes, toys, art supplies, bicycles, computer games, and gift certificates to supermarkets, department stores, and major drugstores.  

Non-Cash Donations
We gratefully accept donations of a variety of items needed by families we serve:

• clothing
• furniture
• appliances
• strollers
• gift cards for grocery stores, department stores, and major drugstores
  
• baby supplies

These donations allow us to increase the amount of assistance we can give a family in crisis. Usually families who are unable to make these direct purchases are also having difficulty paying their bills. We can use non-cash donations to supply such items, and also offer our help in paying an overdue bill.

Education and Advocacy
The Fund advocates on behalf of families with seriously ill children, serving as a voice for change, understanding, and compassion to creditors, policymakers, insurance companies, and the media. We make direct presentations to businesses, community organizations, schools, and churches highlighting the Fund's mission and the needs of families who care for children with severe illnesses, injuries, or disabilities in order to educate and to initiate partnerships. This activity increases financial support, which ultimately serves the families referred to us for assistance.

Informational Resources
To provide additional assistance not available through our organization, we often inform parents and healthcare professionals about other local and national resources, networking and sharing contacts built over more than three decades.