Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Tradelius.
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
“19 years ago, I was 23 years old and wanted to make a difference. Disenchanted after having learned how many “charities” spend donated funds benefiting themselves and not the intended people, I decided to find my own families in need over the holidays.
I would go to the main post office in Los Angeles and sift through their “Dear Santa Letters.” Reading stories from children who would never see a Christmas filled with toys, new clothes and Christmas dinner, I knew this was my calling. Gathering all the info I could, I would then create lists of what I needed and go out and spread the word.
Clients, friends, family and anyone with a pulse…I would ask them to help. Some would donate toys, some food, some clothes, and some cash. Using any of the funds I received, I would then go and pick up all the items I wasn’t able to obtain and complete my lists.
I assembled a team of family and friends to sort, wrap, and then physically hand over these goods to the people who needed them personally. From start to finish, this was 100% volunteer, and 100% of the funds/goods went where they were needed.
“Why don’t you start your own non-profit? We can do so much more.”
This had become a question I was hearing more and more. Late 2015 I began the process, figuring out how to become a non-profit. Asked a lot of questions and filled out A LOT of forms six months later…501(C)(3) status granted. In January 2016 Sparkle was born.
To me, when you hand off a basket of food or diapers to a mother, a bag of presents to a child, there is this look in their eye… it is a SPARKLE and that is where our name comes from. Sparkle is a feeling that takes over you.
The people involved in our process, too, always stop me after we are all done and say what an impact this had on them personally, how good this made them feel… it makes you light up inside (Sparkle!)
The Sparkle Foundation is a community of people who just want to help bring that feeling…that SPARKLE…back into the lives of people who may have lost it somewhere along the way.
One of the things that I am most proud of is our transparency. Sparkle is still 100% volunteer and 100% of every dollar donated goes to help a single mother and her children SPARKLE.
I also run an insurance agency, a blog, podcast (Inspiher’d) and lifestyle company. S.by Samantha
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha! OMG NO! Everything has been trial and error. Not understanding the non-profit space was something I had to learn quickly. Also keeping an org 100% non-profit and volunteer requires finding the right people to help make that happen.
Business has also had its fair share of learning experiences. Being the boss is incredibly challenging at times, being OK being uncomfortable is important.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sparkle Foundation Inc., S. By Samantha and Commercial Coverage Ins. Agency and Inspiher’d?
The Sparkle Foundation’s mission is to make sure women and children have a sparkle in their eyes. We help women because women rarely ask for help. We help children because they are many of times victims of circumstances.
We help people. Many of us will never know what it is like to not have food in our fridge or not wake up to a house full of toys on Christmas, more importantly have basic items like a fresh pair of pants or clean toothbrush.
Through events, such as our Holiday Gift Drive and one-off, case-by-case gifts to women and children in need, the Sparkle Foundation focuses on providing not just life’s necessities but the delights, as well.
Through aid for enrichment programs and access to our network of resources, Sparkle adds to the lives of those that receive Sparkle assistance in many ways.
Through SparkleBiz, we offer microloans to single mothers that want to start or grow their businesses.
Sparkle’s energies are geared toward:
Single Mothers caring for children
Women who have become derailed due to the uncertainties of life and just need a little nudge to get back on track
One time assistance
We help single moms – we serve four major areas in CA – Bay Area, LA, Sacramento, Inland Empire and soon San Diego!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have spent 24 years in the insurance industry, and I am still active in the field. Sparkle is my hobby!
I also just wrote a book about impactful women Nov 21, it was published.
Contact Info:
- Email: s@samanthatradelius.com
- Website: www.samanthatradelius.com and www.sparklenow.org
- Instagram: @samanthatradelius @sparkle_foundation
- Facebook: @Sparklefoundation Inc.
