Nonprofit Spotlight: Charlie's Buddies

The organization Charlie's Buddies is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for families of critically ill children, through donations of toys and equipment.

"My wife had our first son, Charlie, in March of 2001," co-founder Jim Webster said of the nonprofit's orgins. "He was in Torrance Memorial NICU (neonatal intensive-care unit) and then UCLA before he passed away. For the funeral service, we asked for donations for the NICU, the main reason being that the hospital is very stale and white, very sterile. The doctors and nurses are great but it's still the hospital.

"We were hoping for about $500, but we got $8,000," Webster continued. "We donated to the Torrance NICU things like rocking chairs and mobiles. We started the nonprofit, named after Charlie and his buddies in the NICU.  It's all volunteer-based."

Manhattan Beach Patch: What has been a highlight of Charlie's Buddies' tenure?

Jim Webster: When we get the thank-yous for the donations. It's not like a third man helping. We actually have a vested interest because it was our son.  We donated a rocking chair to Torrance, and within two minutes it was in use. A parent said it was the first time he had sat in a chair with his child. 

Patch: What is coming up for Charlie's Buddies in the next five years? 

Webster: Our goal is to serve more hospitals. The more NICUs we can support, the more smiles we will bring to the parents. The more people who find out, the better. We have fundraisers like golf tournaments and parties.  But we want to keep 100 percent of donations for NICUs and supplies, not to us. 

Patch: What was your greatest challenge in the first year?  What was your greatest reward?

Webster: Getting it approved for nonprofit status. It's a lot of work to get it going. As far as support, filling out paperwork, learning all the ropes of the nonprofit. It's like applying to college. Dealing with the IRS and the business side of it was the hardest part because it was a new world. But we were able to get companies to donate. They donated heavily to us about six years ago after a newspaper article. A company called Tiny Love delivered truckloads of mobiles to us for all the babies. We had NICUs calling us back for more stuff, faster than we could get it to them. We still keep in touch with a lot of parents we've never met but we talk on the phone or by letter. 

Patch: What gaps do you think you are filling with Charlie's Buddies?  

Webster: Hospitals are great, but it's not like being home. There are a lot of rules. You can't bring your family in or bring your child home, so we're trying to make it a little homier, make it more comfortable, so parents can just spend time with their child and let the hospital do the work. You don't want to go home at night and worry about the environment your child is in. We give them little bags with toiletries, cameras, flip flops, little things. We donated cameras that the nurses could use to take pictures of the babies sleeping so the parents know their child was taken care of in the night.

Patch: Why do you think this mission is so important?

Webster: It's payback, in a sense. When we were there the staff we encountered were great, so when we go back in it makes us feel like we can give back. It gives purpose to Charlie's life. I don't know if you want to call it self-healing, but this way he can give back. 

For more information, visit Charlie's Buddies' website or e-mail Jim Webster at jim@charliesbuddies.com.

Know of a Manhattan Beach-based nonprofit in need of wider recognition for its work? E-mail the editor at andrewk@patch.com.