Who We Are & Why We’re Here
The Kaydance Ford Athletic & Trades Foundation was born on July 1, 2025 after we lost our beautiful daughter at 16 years old on May 23, 2025 in a motor vehicle accident. She was on her way home with her school’s softball team after a two-day tournament in Dorchester, ON – where they won and were coming home champions with gold glove trophies. Our daughter was taken from us along with three of her teammates and friends, and their coach who was also a beloved teacher. Kaydance was full of life: she was loud, outspoken, passionate, determined, and persistent. She flourished in high school through athletic classes, school sports teams, and shop classes. We want to make sure her spirit and favourite programs continue to thrive for future students so we have decided to honour her by fundraising for these two programs.
We operate strictly from sponsorships, monetary donations, and donations in-like from our community. The first annual fundraiser began in October 2025 and we continue to fundraise throughout the year. All funds raised go towards maintaining the athletics and shop departments in schools across Bluewater District School Board and Bruce-Grey Catholic School Board which is within Grey County, Bruce County, Huron County, and beyond.
What We Do
Student Shed
We have a shed at our home that we stock with athletics and trades items for students in need. Through donations and purchases, we are able to have a large array of items for gym classes, school sports, shop classes, co-ops, and apprenticeships. Students who need an item but may not be able to afford it, can reach out to us and “shop” the shed for free. We’re breaking down barriers as much as we can! If you are a student in need, send us a confidential message here: Contact Us
Student Shed Library
We are currently adding onto our Student Shed by including a library of post-secondary textbooks. This library will help our local students succeed by giving them a break on the cost of post-secondary education. Whether it’s college, university, or an apprenticeship, students are welcome to come browse the Library to see if we have the textbooks they are in need of for their program. If you are entering post-secondary education and need help with textbooks, send us a confidential message here: Contact Us
School Wishlist Program
Local schools send us wishlists of items that they do not have the funding for, but are needed to offer quality education in athletics and/or trades. These items could be team jerseys, funds for a team bus, saws or tools, weight benches, batting nets, etc. We do our absolute best to complete all wishlists each year – helping to improve our local schools in education, wellbeing, and mental health. If you are a school looking to submit a Wishlist, fill out the form here:School Wishlist Program
Rocky Connections
While this is still in the early stages of planning, Rocky Connections will be a greif and life coaching service for local teens suffering the loss of a loved one. From working with their hands to getting creative, from having real conversations to connecting with someone who understands grief firsthand – this out-of-the-ordinary mental health support will be something our communities can use to thrive! Reach out to us for Teen Grief & Life Coaching here: Rocky Connections
Blueprints to Burnouts
We have partnered with Black Magic Racing to bring real race cars into three schools. Students build and design the cars during the off-season then driver teams race the cars at Varney Full Throttle Speedway during the race season, representing their respective schools. Schools earn points each race and at the end of the race season, they receive funds towards their shop classes in their respective placing (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Follow the excitement here: Blueprints to Burnouts
Annual Fundraisers
We hold a few different fundraisers annually – and we are always adding more!
A partnership with FUNDrive and Value Village brings our Clothing & Housewares Fundraiser each Fall.
Each Spring we hold a Yard Sale & BBQ with donated items – helping our community declutter their unwanted items!
Each July we hold an Empties Drive, collecting empties to cash in.
See when the next event is here: Help Us Grow
How to Help Us Grow
Donate
There are a few ways to donate.
Simple E-Transfers can be sent to kffoundation@outlook.com
If you are in the area or attend a Foundation Event, we also accept cash and cheque donations.
You can also donate through GoFundMe at this link https://gofund.me/bf29b8a07
Become a Sponsor
There are also a few ways to become a Sponsor.
If you are a business, you can becaome a Business Sponsor here: Business Sponsorships
If you are a community member, you can become a Legacy Builder here: Legacy Builder Program
If you would like to support our School Wishlists, you can purchase a star here: School Wishlist Program
Attend Our Fundraisers
By attending one of our fundraisers, you can make monetary donations in cash or cheque. You can also help us raise money by donating clothing and housewares you no longer want, or empties you prefer not to deal with!
During our fundraisers, we also have lots of take home information about the Foundation available!
Check the dates for our next fundraiser here: Help Us Grow
From the blog
Click to find out how you can help us grow
Meet Kaydance
Kaydance was born on July 1, 2008. She was full of life right from the beginning and had the personality to match.
You would often hear her before you saw her as she was either burping louder than a full grown man, blaring her music from a speaker in her backpack, or cheering with the loudest voice possible. She was often seen dancing down the halls of her school to the music from her speaker – her “Native Girl Bop” as she called it, being a favourite of hers. She could also be found in the Foods Room snacking before her first class and playing “Two Dozen Roses”. Dance Week at school was one of her favourites and she would often text her mom asking to skip her classes so she could go and “show them how to do it” even though she never had any coordination – her mom often texted back with “as long as you aren’t behind in class work, go ahead”.
Her strong personality wasn’t cut short in the shops. Her shop teachers reminisce often about how Kaydance either talked them into doing her projects for her without them knowing until finished, taking control of the class like a foreman on a job site, and even bossing the boys around while she was often only one of two girls in the class. She loved her shop classes and teachers, they had a special kind of student-teacher bond because they accepted her for who she was and allowed her to show her full personality without judgement.
Kaydance also flourished in athletics – dabbling in soccer and gymnastics at an early age then immersing herself into ALL of the sports when she began at WDCS in grade 10. She started with charging the lead to restart the girls’ Rugby Team, joined the Track Team running hurdles and trying out shotput and javelin, tried out for the Tennis Team, made the Senior Girls’ Volleyball Team, played on the Girls’ Soccer Team as a call-up/fill-in, and of course, played on the Girls’ Softball Team. Outside of school, Kaydance played softball with the Tara Twins ISA Girls Team and was part of the Girls’ Big Bruce Volleyball Club. She seemed to truly flourish in athletics once she hit grade 10!
Since the accident, we have had the pleasure of hearing many stories about our girl. Many fellow students talking of her smile and kindness, being the one who would smile at anyone and make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. Many speak about how outgoing she was and would cheer on everyone on the team, making each person feel as though they belong.
We miss Kaydance greatly, but it’s clear our family aren’t the only ones. With her big personality and adventurous nature, many have told us that she is unforgettable.
Meet the Founders & Team
Jessica Ford, Founder
Mother of Kaydance
Role: Website, Social
Media, Content Design, Financials, Fundraising, Marketing, Networking, School Wishlists, Meetings, Rocky Connections, Planning
Casey Woods, Co-Founder
Father of Kaydance
Role: Social Media, Fundraising, Marketing, Networking, School Wishlists, Support, Meetings, Planning
Wade Ford, Co-Founder
Brother of Kaydance
Role: Fundraising, Marketing, Networking, Foundation Swag, Meetings, Support, Planning
Lennox Woods, Co-Founder
Brother of Kaydance
Role: Fundraising, Marketing, Vendor Events, Support, Meetings, Planning
*Picture Coming Soon
Nick Scott, Advocate
Uncle of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking
*Picture Coming Soon
Judi Ford, Secretary
Grandmother of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking, Fundraising
*Picture Coming Soon
Jeff Scott, Chairperson
Grandfather of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking, Fundraising
Scott Woods, Advocate
Uncle of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking
Jo-Ann Woods, Advocate
Grandmother of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking
Wayne Woods, Advocate
Grandfather of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking
Parker Family, Advocates
Family Friends of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking
Howie Family, Advocates
Chosen Family of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking, Fundraising, Volunteers
McTeer Family, Advocates
Chosen Family of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking, Fundraising, Volunteers
*Picture Coming Soon
Stephenson Family, Advocates
Family Friends
Role: Support, Networking, Fundraising, Volunteers
Lori Fidler, Advocate
Family Friend of Kaydance
Role: Support, Networking, Fundraising, Volunteer
*Picture Coming Soon
Proudly Sponsored By:
See more of our Sponsors on our Business Sponsorship Page!
https://www.facebook.com/kayfordfoundation
Kaydance Ford Athletic & Trades Foundation 