10News honors Frank Fernicola for founding Big Animals for Little Kids, an all volunteer organization that cheers up needy kids in San Diego by dressing up in big animal costumes, face painting and magic tricks.

Frank attended a volunteer party over seven years ago that helped children with cancer. He dressed up in an animal costume to make children laugh. After noticing the children’s enthusiastic reactions, he wanted to continue to cheer them up. This led Frank with an idea to start his own organization. Frank was working with several friends who hit upon the idea. He wanted to help many children who needed motivation and happiness in their lives. He took it and institutionalized it, so that kids throughout San Diego would benefit for years to come.

There have been over 7,000 children in homeless shelters, hospitals, convalescent homes and residential facilities in San Diego, who have benefited from the organization. They have been transformed from their sadness into beaming positive-attitude kids.

Frank has recruited many volunteers, the core group being about 15 strong, with an extended base of about 50 volunteers. Frank has been working without compensation for seven years with this organization. Initially the funding came solely from an annual fundraiser. However, the fundraiser was not meeting the demands of the organization so they received outside support from many contributors. The Building Industry Association has been one of the organization’s yearly contributors.

Frank has hosted an animal party at his home on Mission Bay. He hosts many other regular meetings, has donated funding, and has made many personal sacrifices to fit into the event scheduling.

For more information, please contact Big Animals for Little Kids at 619-723-3142 or visit www.biganimalsforlittlekids.com.