Mission Statement
The Princess Zev Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of needy children through charitable donations of books and toys. We believe that every child has the right to discover the joy of reading, and we aim to provide less-fortunate children with the means to a richer upbringing through learning and personal expression.
Specifically, we clean and redistribute donated books and toys directly to pre-schools, daycare facilities, children from low-income families, legally fostered children, and other non-profit organizations that work with children. Monetary donations are used to purchase new books for libraries, schools, and other non-profit organizations that promote literacy, learning and the well-being of youth.
Background
The Princess Zev Foundation is a non-profit organization that exists to continue the legacy of Zev Luna Audrey Leal by honoring her compassionate and generous nature. Zev departed our physical world in March 2009. During her eight years she taught both her family and friends the true meaning of generosity, empathy, and love. Her vitality and spirit endure through the work of the foundation.
Board of Directors
President: Caitlin Leal
Vice President: Anthony Leal
Treasurer: Cristelle Blackford
Secretary: Grayson Stebbins
Biographies
Princess Zev: Our shining star, who showered love and compassion on all those around her. She continues to teach us, inspire us and fill our hearts.
Caitlin Leal: Proud Mother of Zev Luna Audrey Leal. Wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend. She can often be found skating, taking nature walks, playing roller derby, writing and enjoying time with her friends and family. Movies, music, and a good book are always on her agenda.
Anthony Leal: Zev’s Daddy. Master of levity. Lover of animals and all things humorous. Computer repair technician by day and family chef by night. His hobbies include gaming, photography, gardening and playing bass guitar. Zev’s love amplifies his compassionate nature, his patience and his inner teacher.
Cristelle Blackford: Zev’s Auntie. Once corporate sales manger, now community organizer in training. She’s on a quest to transform rubbish into relics, and she’ll teach your kids the tricks of the trade, if given the chance. She’s attracted to the geometry of succulents, admires the human respiratory system, dreams of conversing with Salman Rushdie, fancies kaffir lime leaves, and feels sad yet thankful for the Hetch Hetchy reservoir. She thinks she knows what she wants to be when she grows up, but still has some thinking to do.
Grayson Stebbins: Uncle G. Designer of things on screens and on paper. Currently caught up at a fun tech start-up in San Francisco. A lover of books – their design, their pictures, their text – he needs a bit of inspiration to get to the in-depth, committed reading – our dear Princess Zev inspires him here. A beginner in his studies of Japanese, an avid rider of his bike, and a committed student of life, he knows not what lies ahead, but he’s sure it will be a grand adventure.