BROOKINGS – The ultimate goal of a new local nonprofit is to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Kiss My ALS Foundation was formed in 2021 and officially granted tax exempt status by the IRS in February 2022. 

The purpose of the Kiss My ALS Foundation is to raise funds, awareness and educate people about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. 

The Kiss My ALS Foundation was formed in memory of Jodi DeYoung. DeYoung was diagnosed with ALS in July 2020.  She died June 8, 2021, at age 53. 

“Our goals are to bring education and awareness for ALS. We are also going to raise funds so we can help local people who are fighting ALS and so we can help find a cure. I told Jodi while she was in the nursing home that I would continue the fight. Enter the Kiss My ALS Foundation.  God willing, we will find a cure for this monster,” said Bill Burns, husband to DeYoung and president of the Kiss My ALS Foundation.

The Kiss My ALS Foundation intends to use 50% of funds raised to assist local individuals affected by ALS. The other 50% will be donated to organizations researching and trying to find a cure for ALS.  

Various fundraisers are planned, including a gun raffle, cornhole tournament and an annual poker run. The cornhole tournament is scheduled for June 4 in Brookings. The second annual Jodi DeYoung Memorial Poker Run will take place Sept. 10.  More information about the Kiss My ALS Foundation and upcoming events can be found on the organization’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kissmyalsfoundation. Questions can be emailed to kissmyalsfoundation@gmail.com.