Our Story

In the aftermath of the Oct. 1, 1993 kidnap and murder of his twelve-year-old daughter Polly, Marc Klaas gave up his lucrative rental car franchise to pursue an aggressive child safety agenda. In announcing the formation of the non-profit KlaasKids Foundation in September, 1994, Mr. Klaas said, “We can give meaning to Polly’s death and create a legacy in her name that will be protective of children for generations to come by pursuing the singular mission of stopping crimes against children.”

Through federal and state legislative efforts Mr. Klaas promotes prevention programs for at-risk youth, stronger sentencing for violent criminals and governmental accountability and responsibility. Often times this advocacy takes the form of legislative testimony.

Mr. Klaas has appeared on most network television newsmagazines, syndicated talk shows and is a regular resource for CNN, FOX and MSNBC, offering commentary on missing children and victim’s rights. He has written for Newsweek Magazine and published editorial opinions for newspapers as diverse as the San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A sought after speaker, Mr. Klaas has shared a podium with President Bill Clinton, New York Governor George Pataki, California Governor Gray Davis; Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Rudy Guliani and many other distinguished civic leaders.

Mr. Klaas travels extensively through the United States facilitating town-hall meetings, encouraging innovative solutions and proven programs that positively impact crime, abuse and neglect that plague children in so many of our communities. He also counsels and advises numerous victim families and families of kidnapped children.

Besides his duties as volunteer president of the KlaasKids Foundation, Mr. Klaas sits on the advisory boards of the GriefHaven; Fight Crime Invest in Kids and the National Children’s Advocacy Center.