For many high school students, the path to college can feel uncertain, but for first-generation students facing financial and academic barriers, it can feel nearly impossible. That’s where Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars (DRDFS) steps in.

Thanks to the support of Great Oaks Country Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, and Pine Lake Country Club, DRDFS has continued to transform lives through its Next Level Scholars Program, a multi-year initiative designed to inspire and prepare students for life after high school. By equipping students with the tools, confidence, and support they need, the program empowers a new generation of leaders to achieve their goals and uplift their communities.

In 2024, Eagles for Children funding helped support two of the program’s most impactful events: the Empowerment Workshop and Project Runway.

At the Empowerment Workshop, members of the Class of 2024 began the day with professional headshots and ended it with a new sense of confidence. The workshop focused on leadership, networking, and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Though many students arrived feeling nervous and unsure, by the end of the afternoon, the room was filled with conversations, connections, and a renewed belief in their potential. The experience stuck with them, and students consistently say this workshop is a highlight of their time in the program and that the skills they gain stay with them well into college and beyond.

160 new sophomores from 16 partner high schools were welcomed into the program at Project Runway, an all-day workshop held at Eastern Michigan University. This high-energy, hope-filled event gave students their first glimpse into the possibilities of post-secondary education. From campus tours and financial literacy lessons to alumni panels and leadership training, the day sparked a sense of belonging and belief.

As one student shared:

“After today’s workshop, I feel empowered to be a leader and be more confident with myself.”

For these students, many of whom are trailblazing a new path for their families, the support of Eagles for Children and its partner clubs isn’t just an investment in education. It’s an investment in dreams realized, futures changed, and communities strengthened.

Learn more about Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars.

A Front Row Seat to Joy: A Kid Again is Bringing Laughter and Light to Children

For families raising a child with a life-threatening condition, joy can often be pushed aside by medical appointments, long hospital stays, and endless treatments. A Kid Again exists to change that. Their mission is simple and powerful: to give children the carefree moments of childhood they deserve, filled with laughter, adventure, and the chance to just be a kid.

Thanks to the generous support of Edgewood Country Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, and Walnut Creek Country Club, A Kid Again was able to bring that mission to life in a big way. Last year, funds granted through Eagles for Children helped cover the costs of Adventures, including admission, parking, meals, crafts, games, and gifts, for 280 children facing unimaginable health challenges.

Among the highlights was the Hoops for Hope Adventure with the Detroit Pistons, where children and their families were treated to an unforgettable, cost-free night at Little Caesars Arena. From cheering on their favorite team to receiving Pistons swag and even standing on the court during the national anthem, these kids experienced something truly magical.

One family, attending their first-ever NBA game together, left with memories they’ll never forget. Declan, a Michigan child living with an ARHGEF9 Gene Mutation, joined the adventure with his family. His mom shared:

“It was fun to attend our first game as a family. There were extra bonuses like shirts, hats, water bottles, and a concession stand ticket. Thank you! There were lots of volunteers willing to help. Overall, we left with good memories.”

These moments of connection and celebration, offered without cost or stress, are more than just fun days out. They’re reminders for families that they’re not alone, that there’s still joy to be found, and that there’s a community of people standing behind them.

Eagles for Children is proud to support A Kid Again and the joy they bring to kids and families who need it most.

Learn more about A Kid Again.

Buildup STEAM: Building Hope One Brick at a Time

In hospital rooms where fear and uncertainty often fill the air, Buildup STEAM is offering something extraordinary: the chance for children to dream, create, and smile. Through their innovative LEGO robotics programs, Buildup STEAM brings education, joy, and comfort to young patients facing serious health challenges. By combining the healing power of play with the thrill of engineering, the organization helps reduce anxiety, spark imagination, and restore a sense of normalcy to kids in the hospital.

Because of the sensitive hospital setting, every LEGO robotics part must be meticulously sanitized after each use – a process that, over time, damages the materials and makes regular replacement a necessity. Thanks to the generous support of Bloomfield Hills Country Club, Oakland Hills Country Club, and Orchard Lake Country Club, Buildup STEAM was able to completely refresh the materials used in their three active hospital programs in 2024. That upgrade meant nearly 1,000 children received clean, high-quality, fully functional robotics kits, ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, could experience the same sense of wonder and accomplishment.

Through Buildup STEAM, children battling illness are reminded that they are more than their diagnosis. They are innovators. Builders. Fighters.

Learn more about Buildup STEAM.

Young Life Birmingham: Creating a Place to Belong

At a time when so many teens feel isolated or overlooked, Young Life Birmingham is showing up week after week to create a space where students are not just seen, but truly known and loved. With a mission to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith, Young Life Birmingham is more than a ministry, it’s a lifeline for kids searching for meaning, connection, and belonging.

In 2024, with the generous support of Birmingham Country Club and Orchard Lake Country Club, Young Life Birmingham was able to grow in powerful ways. The funding provided essential support for their weekly club gatherings, where caring leaders spend time with students tutoring, talking, playing games, or simply listening. Thanks to this support, Young Life Birmingham was able to expand their reach to two new area high schools and one additional middle school, welcoming even more students into a safe and supportive community.

One student, a regular at weekly club, summed it up best during lunch with his Young Life mentor. Opening up about his struggles to find connection at school, he shared:

“It’s hard. I don’t feel like I have a lot of friends. It’s hard to find people who get me.”

But then he smiled and added:

“That’s why I love Young Life. I get to spend time with people who understand me and I don't have to be someone else."

That is the heart of Young Life: making sure that every kid knows they matter, just as they are.

Through simple moments and real relationships, Young Life Birmingham is walking alongside students and showing them a love that never fails. Eagles for Children is honored to support a mission that continues to transform lives—one student at a time.

Learn more about Young Life Birmingham.

Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids: Restoring Confidence, One Wig at a Time

For children experiencing hair loss, the journey can be filled with uncertainty and challenges. But thanks to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, young people facing conditions like cancer treatment, alopecia, trichotillomania, and burns can regain a sense of confidence and joy through custom, hand-crafted wigs at no cost to their families.

In 2024, Great Oaks Country Club supported Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, helping to provide children with the opportunity to look and feel like themselves again. One of those children was 8-year-old Christine, a bright and bubbly girl living with alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss. Christine first visited Wigs 4 Kids last year and recently returned when her pattern of hair loss changed. With the help of the program, she received a beautiful blonde wig, bringing her a newfound sense of self-esteem and happiness. Christine was thrilled with her new wig and shared:

"My favorite Disney princess is Rapunzel, and this wig reminds me of her and makes me feel so special!"

Her parents were so moved by the transformation that they personally reached out after her appointment to share their heartfelt gratitude.

Through compassion, creativity, and community support, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids continues to empower children like Christine, giving them the confidence to shine—inside and out. Eagles for Children is proud to support this life-changing program and the difference it makes for kids across Michigan.

Learn more about Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids here.

For students in underserved communities, education can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But at Math Corps, a six-week summer program is proving that with the right support, students can not only excel in math but also discover their self-worth, potential, and a true sense of belonging.

Thanks to the generosity of Oakland Hills Country Club, Pine Lake Country Club, and Red Run Golf Club, over 400 middle and high school students from Detroit had the opportunity to participate in Math Corps’ 2024 summer program – an experience designed to empower, inspire, and transform lives.

Founded by two Wayne State University mathematicians with a vision of equity and opportunity, Math Corps is far more than a math camp. It’s a place where students are mentored, encouraged, and celebrated. In just six weeks, students saw remarkable academic growth, increasing their math scores by an average of 56%. But the numbers only tell part of the story. One Math Corps 2024 student shared:

"When nobody in your family cares about you, but everyone here cares about you, you change."

At Math Corps, students aren’t just learning equations – they’re discovering their greatness and gaining the confidence to build bright futures. Eagles for Children is proud to support this life-changing program and the mission to create a more just and hopeful world for all.

Learn more about Math Corps here.

For many children, summer camp is a cherished rite of passage full of adventure, friendship, and independence, but for children with disabilities, these opportunities can be few and far between. Thanks to support from Oakland Hills Country Club and Plum Hollow Country Club, Friendship Circle provided an unforgettable Overnight Summer Camp experience to 49 children and teens with disabilities in 2024, ensuring that every child had the chance to experience the magic of camp.

Friendship Circle offers two week-long overnight camps for children with disabilities, allowing them to immerse themselves in a world of fun, friendship, and inclusion. From swimming and paddleboarding, to arts and crafts, and even a talent show to showcase hidden talents, each activity is designed to foster confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.

At drop-off, the impact was already clear. A Friendship Circle team member shared:

“Two parents of different campers approached me during drop-off with happy tears in their eyes. They told me they were so thankful for Friendship Circle and expressed how meaningful it is to have a place where their kiddo belongs because it is something they had struggled to find for a long time.”

Eagles for Children is proud to support Friendship Circle’s mission to ensure every individual with special needs receives the support, friendship, and inclusion they deserve.

Learn more about Friendship Circle here.

Eight-year-old Adrianna has spent the last four years fighting leukemia, enduring relapses, a bone marrow transplant, and even spending Christmas in the hospital. But thanks to the generosity of Meadowbrook Country Club, Red Run Golf Club, and Walnut Creek Country Club, Adrianna and her family were given a much-needed escape – an unforgettable trip to Disney!

Eagles for Children proudly supports The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation, an organization dedicated to bringing joy to Michigan children facing life-threatening illnesses. In 2024, grants from these clubs helped make Adrianna’s dream come true. For one magical week, she wasn’t a patient—she was a princess, laughing, playing, and creating precious memories with her family. After their trip, her mother shared:

“It was better than we ever imagined. Adrianna was smiling every single day.”

Founded in 2005 by two compassionate fifth graders, The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation was inspired by Jenna Kast, a brave young girl who battled brain cancer. Today, the foundation continues to grant wishes to children like Adrianna, giving them hope and moments of pure happiness.

Learn more about The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation here.

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