love-fund-for-kids

2025 Year in Review

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 02:41:38 GMT

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

Increasing our Impact on the Kansas City Community

In 2025, the Love Fund served 10,115 children through our programs and events. We set two new records: serving the unique, unmet needs of 788 children through our Life Essentials program and 2,480 teens through our Sack it for Santa holiday gift program.

Other 2025 accomplishments to celebrate:

Provided 6,710 children with school supplies.
Launched a Holiday Youth Ambassadors Program.
Increased the total children served by 10.7%.
Partnered with 57 agencies and 158 youth advocates to fulfill the needs of Kansas City children.

NEW in 2025: Holiday Youth Ambassadors

“I loved the volunteering events because I was able to meet other teens like me who are passionate about helping others. I also enjoyed doing my project and learning how to properly ask for donations for an organization I'm passionate about.”

~ Ellen, 2025 Ambassador

In 2025, the Love Fund engaged a new group of volunteers to help support our holiday gift program for teens, Sack it for Santa. Thirteen Holiday Youth Ambassadors, aged 12-18 years, from 10 schools stepped up to promote the program. They completed five volunteer projects and collected financial or new, physical gifts valued at $5,700! Their efforts helped the Love Fund provide 83% more sacks for teens than just six years ago! These teens showed tremendous empathy and support for their peers who otherwise would’ve been forgotten at the holidays.

Looking Ahead at 2026

We are incredibly thankful for your continued support. The financial contributions and volunteer commitment from supporters made 2025 an outstanding year for the Love Fund.

We hope you will join us at our upcoming fundraising events:

37th Annual Golf Classic - May 4th at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate
It’s in the Bag - November 7th at Fiorella’s Event Space

With your involvement, we can make an even bigger impact in 2026!

We encourage you to view our 2025 Impact Report to learn more about this exciting year.

Meet Mercy

springfieldmarketingco@gmail.com (Springfield Marketing Services) — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:55:36 GMT

Meet Mercy

Mercy is a strong-willed and determined 4-year-old girl who faces multiple medical challenges, including legal blindness, ADHD, and musculoskeletal issues accompanied by weak muscle tone. She communicates fluently in both Korean and English. She also enjoys engaging in repetitive movements such as swinging and jumping. In community settings, Mercy uses a white cane to navigate safely.

Mercy’s family requested assistance with adaptive martial arts training classes which will provide an inclusive and structured environment to foster her physical development, independence, and confidence. Martial arts can significantly benefit blind students by enhancing body awareness, spatial orientation, balance, and coordination—skills essential for Mercy’s continued growth. In addition to improving her physical fitness, participation in adaptive martial arts will help build her self-esteem, self-discipline, and self-defense abilities in a way that’s both empowering and enjoyable. Thank you to our Love Fund supporters for providing this valuable extracurricular opportunity for Mercy.

Martial arts will teach her self-defense and being mindful of her other available senses since she is legally blind.”

~ Dawn Donoho, Center for Human Services

Meet Jemima and Nancy | Youth Advocates

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 06:14:24 GMT

Meet Jemima and Nancy | Youth Advocates

Jemima Nesthant | Community Resource Specialist, Eitas

The Love Fund works with over 150 professional youth advocates from 50+ agencies across the Kansas City Greater Metropolitan Area (14 counties). Our youth advocates represent a diverse group of agencies, schools, and institutions, including (but not limited to): school family liaisons, medical professionals, social workers from transitional housing agencies, and support coordinators for children with special needs.

“The Love Fund is more than just a program—it’s a lifeline. It fills the gaps for families who face challenges most can’t imagine, offering support that brings real peace of mind. One recent example is a single mother whose young son is prone to eloping—wandering off without notice, which can be terrifying and dangerous. Because of this, she’s had to limit who can care for him, keeping her constantly on edge and isolated. Through the Love Fund, we were able to provide her with an AngelSense GPS tracking device. This simple yet powerful tool has brought her a sense of relief and empowerment. She can now monitor her son’s location during school hours and feels more confident allowing trusted family members to help care for him. The support from the Love Fund didn’t just provide a device—it gave a mother peace of mind and a child more freedom, safely.”

Nancy Hishaw, RN | Community and Family Health Education Division

 Kansas City Health Department

The Love Fund is honored to partner with dedicated professionals who care deeply about the well-being of Kansas City’s children. These advocates embody our mission by identifying youth whose unique needs can be met through Love Fund support. They consistently go above and beyond for children with special needs and families facing difficult transitions or financial challenges. They truly are the heart of our Mission, and we love working with them every day!

We would like to introduce you to a few youth advocates who have graciously shared their feedback on our programs.

"Every August when I deliver the school supplies provided by the Love Fund, the kids and parents are so excited to receive the supplies. You can see the sense of relief on the faces of the parents knowing their children will return to school with what they need."-

Finding Saint's Voice

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:18:57 GMT

Finding Saint's Voice

Saint is a five year old boy who everyone calls “Sainty.” According to his mom, he’s an engineer or filmmaker in the making. He loves watching videos on how things are built, especially ones that teach how to fix a car engine. He enjoys anything related to trains or music. Saint has used watching videos to teach himself piano without needing a tutor; he is truly gifted with an ear for music.

Saint is non-verbal and has been successfully using the TouchChat application on the school’s device. TouchChat provides an intuitive interface that allows him to communicate via symbols, text, and speech output. During his trial of TouchChat Saint made considerable progress in both expressing needs and engaging in social interactions. During Saint’s kindergarten graduation he was able to communicate through his talking device and answer, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. Saint responded, “a news anchor.” Without his talking device his family never would’ve known his true passion.

Saint’s family approached the Love Fund to purchase a device that would allow him to use the TouchChat application at home. His physician affirmed that consistency in communication tools is critical for language development and minimizing frustration. Having a talking device at home will help limit his tantrums and outbursts. Thank you Love Fund supporters for helping Saint communicate effectively while away from school. He is now able to participate more fully in activities, share his thoughts and express desires that were previously difficult to communicate. This gift will improve Saint’s independence and confidence and provide a greater sense of inclusion.

Keeping Sterling Safe

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:22:11 GMT

Keeping Sterling Safe

Sterling is an active, funny, enthusiastic, and animated 11 year old boy who loves to be on the move! He enjoys all things Halloween and can't wait for fall! He also enjoys swimming and long car rides. He is currently learning in a home environment and making great progress in all areas including academics.

Sterling is a bit adventurous and has gotten himself into some dangerous situations. He has eloped from the house twice, once making it onto the roof where he was found standing in a gutter waiting for help. His love for water play has accidentally caused massive water damage to the family home twice.

As Sterling has grown he has learned how to open the home’s existing child locks and can reach the block door locks, creating unsafe access to water and the outdoors. His family applied to the Love Fund for assistance with new devices to keep Sterling from unsafe situations. The new bed alarm will alert his parents when he gets out of bed at night. The fingerprint door locks will keep him from entering rooms with water access. Keypad locks for entry doors will ensure that he cannot exit the home alone. Thank you for helping keep Sterling safe at home and lowering the risk of him getting lost in the community or harming himself.

Meet Rylin and Raymond

Wed, 07 May 2025 06:25:30 GMT

Meet Rylin and Raymond

Four year old Raymond, or “Bear,” is full of life! He has a huge personality in a little body. He is very affectionate and always wants to make people laugh. He loves everything related to animals and talks about them frequently. His brother, Rylin, is three years old. He is non-verbal but is very expressive with his facial expressions and actions. He is the baby of the family and loves being the center of attention. You can always find him with something yellow in his hand - his favorite color!

Both boys have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental delays. They both experience trouble sleeping and elope from the home at night despite door alarms and cameras. They have been found outside on a neighbor’s property in the middle of the night.

The family approached the Love Fund for two Cubby Safety Beds, one for each child. The Cubby Bed allows the guardian to secure Raymond and Rylin when it’s time for bed. It is FDA approved to protect against elopement and entrapment.

The Love Fund partnered with the Chickasaw Nation Department of Administration and Variety KC to fund the brothers’ beds. Thank you for providing improved sleep and nighttime safety for the boys for many years to come!

“The Cubby Bed will provide needed protection to prevent possible elopement and/or injury in the future.” ~ Jared Palfreeman, MD, Pediatrician

2024 Year In Review | The Love Fund

Sat, 08 Feb 2025 07:09:02 GMT

2024 Year In Review | The Love Fund

Making a Difference for Kansas City Kids

In 2024, the Love Fund served 9,430 children through our programs and events. We set two new records: serving the unique, unmet needs of 717 children through our Life Essentials program and 2,176 teens through our Sack it for Santa holiday gift program.

Other 2024 accomplishments to celebrate:
Provided 6,400 children with school supplies.
Hosted an entirely new summer event.
Increased the number of children served by 7.5%.
Partnered with 52 agencies and 156 youth advocates to fulfill the needs of Kansas City children.

We encourage you to view our 2024 Impact Report to learn more about this exciting year.

Serving Kids In-Purpose: Our New Event

The Love Fund hosted a new child-facing program in 2024. At our first Summer Enrichment Event, 50 children from Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy were rewarded for their excellent attendance with a field trip to Union Station including visits to Science City and the Planetarium. They enjoyed exploring the hands-on exhibits in small groups and learning about the world of science first-hand. They also loved sharing a pizza lunch with fun adult volunteers before heading to the Planetarium to visit the stars. After the event, all children received new uniforms to start the school year! A special thank you to our friends at SelectQuote for making this new program possible.

In addition to this new event we hosted 52 children at Warford Elementary School in Kansas City, Missouri, for a fun Thanksgiving celebration with dinner, food to take home, a visit from Santa, new coats, and custom gifts. We continued our long-standing Shop With the Love Fund event during which 35 children enjoyed shopping with superheroes to select clothing and toys. We appreciate the more than 110 volunteers that made these events and other Love Fund activities possible in 2024.

“Children who have received items from the Life Essentials program can attend school regularly and feel comfortable. They face less bullying and social isolation when they are provided with proper clothing and hygiene items. This helps create a stronger self of belonging and improves their overall social development.” ~ Liz Diaz, Family School Liaison, Independence School District

Continuing to honor the Love Fund’s mission, our year-long efforts focused on fulfilling the unmet needs of Kansas City children. In response to applications from professional youth advocates, we increased our impact across all categories:

452 children received new clothing
199 children received a new twin bed
126 infants and toddlers received essential baby items
56 children had their medical needs met

Through your generosity, we’ve provided mobility and safety for special needs children, restful sleep for children without a bed, and confidence for children now wearing clothing that fits!

Looking Ahead at 2025

As we reflect on the last year, we are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support. We are grateful for the financial and volunteer commitment of our Love Fund supporters who made 2024 a great year for the Love Fund. We hope you will join us at our upcoming fundraising events:

36th Annual Golf Classic - May 5th at Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate
It’s in the Bag - October 25th at Fiorella’s Event Space

With your involvement, we can make an even bigger impact in 2025!

Mission Moment- Meet Shane

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:19:45 GMT

Mission Moment- Meet Shane

Meet Shane

Shane is a very loving sweet energetic three year old boy. He enjoys going for car rides, playing with his foam blocks, watching Cocomelon, popping bubbles and playing with water. He loves anything that is high in sensory stimulation.

When Shane was a year and a half he was diagnosed with level three non verbal autism spectrum disorder and global developmental delay. Since his diagnosis, he has enjoyed attending ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy where he makes new friends, increases his independence with daily living routines, and learns social cues and new ways to imitate that help him interact with his family, friends and peers.

Prior to therapy Shane did not have a meaningful or effective way to communicate his wants and needs. This led to frustration and negative behaviors. Through therapy Shane is now using a picture exchange communication system to request what he needs. He is beginning to respond to simple instructions and is working on tolerating hygiene routines such as toothbrushing and haircuts.

As Shane progresses and grows he will need continuous ABA therapy and additional support which is not fully covered by insurance. Thanks to support from the Love Fund Shane is able to continue in therapy and is making significant progress toward his communication and daily living goals.

“Since increasing hours, Shane has made significant progress toward his treatment goals, and we cannot wait to continue to see what he achieves.”

~ Taylor Robinson, MA, BCBA, LBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Mission Moment- Meet Holland

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:24:47 GMT

Mission Moment- Meet Holland

Holland loves learning to dance and making new friends at her adaptive ballet classes.

Holland is a 10 year old girl who loves ballet, horseback riding, and jumping on the trampoline. She enjoys FaceTiming her older brother at college and eating chicken nuggets and ice cream.

Holland has diagnoses of autism spectrum and Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome. Holland experiences delays in her ability to communicate and socialize with others. She also demonstrates deficits in concentration, attention span and recalling instructions.

Holland’s family approached the Love Fund for assistance with adaptive ballet lessons to improve her coordination and communication skills. Adaptive ballet allows her to express herself non-verbally and follow instructions. She also develops motor skills, body awareness, social communication, and emotional regulation skills. As she learns a routine, she builds self-confidence which will lead to positive interactions with others. Ballet lessons provide sensory relief for her sensory-seeking behaviors and allow her to develop connections with others.

Thank you supporters for funding Holland’s love for dance and helping her find an outlet to connect with her peers.

“Dance can help individuals build emotional regulation and positive ways to express themselves nonverbally in a socially appropriate manner. This is critical for Holland, as she struggles to regulate her emotions and communicate how she is feeling.”

~ Carmen Thomas, MA, BCBA, LBA, Behavioral Analyst

Meet McCoy

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 07:27:29 GMT

Meet McCoy

Holland loves learning to dance and making new friends at her adaptive ballet classes.

McCoy is seven years old and full of sunshine. He brings light and love everywhere he goes, and it’s clear that one of his missions in life is to demonstrate unconditional love. McCoy really enjoys bubbles, wagon rides in nature, and watching football…specifically his much-loved Chiefs. Most of all, he enjoys simply being with friends and family! Every morning McCoy wakes up with a smile so big that it brightens the complete darkness of the early hours. His determination and unwavering patience are an inspiration.

McCoy was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called 1Q43-Q44 deletion syndrome at three months old. He is truly 1 in 300 million! What does this mean? Well, it means he unfortunately has been faced with living with many challenges including an Epilepsy disorder called Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, Complete Agenesis of his Corpus Callosum, Dysautonomia, GERD, Cortical Visual Impairment; as well as is non-ambulatory, non-verbal and is Globally delayed.

Due to low muscle tone, McCoy is unable to sit upright on his own for a prolonged period. He is unable to walk or crawl and requires assistance from his family to move. McCoy’s parents applied to the Love Fund for an adjustable special needs chair. The height of this high-low chair can be adjusted for eating, viewing his communication device, and sensory exploration. Having a chair that fits him well will allow McCoy to maintain good posture and tolerate being still and focused for longer periods of time. The specialty chair allows McCoy to sit at the table with the family during mealtimes. It also allows McCoy to sit upright for the hour and a half that he is being fed through his g-tube. The family is tremendously grateful to Love Fund supporters for this gift. In the first month it has already had a tremendous, positive impact on McCoy and caregivers.

“As McCoy grows, we are finding there is a need to have an appropriate chair where he can be physically supported and can be easily maneuvered for his parents to place him in the chair with ease and safety. This chair would be utilized for many years to support him while enjoying his g-tube fed meals with his family at the dinner table, be at the right level to engage in schoolwork/crafts/games, and most importantly be seated at the correct distance to utilize his Eye Gaze device. This would allow him to communicate with us more effortlessly as there needs to be a specific range between his eyes and his device. His current wheelchair is unfortunately too low for most tables, and he is too large to be seated in a highchair that still offers a safety belt.” Kenda, McCoy’s Mother

Meet Teegan

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 07:30:56 GMT

Meet Teegan

Teegan is a happy and affectionate 12 year old boy. He loves movement of all kinds: rocking in his chair, jumping on the trampoline, climbing on the playground and swimming at the pool. Movement helps him calm his body down.

Teegan has multiple diagnoses resulting in developmental delays, intellectual disability and growth issues. For five years Teegan had been using a therapy chair. He slept in it nightly and used it to calm himself at other times during the day. Due to significant use, the chair had become worn and was falling apart. Prior to having the chair Teegan did not sleep much and the chair has enabled him to get the rest needed to focus and learn.

Teegan’s family approached the Love Fund for assistance with a new therapy chair to replace the previously well-loved chair. He is happily using the new chair for sensory management to decrease negative/dangerous behaviors. Teegan is resting better each night in the new chair thanks to the generosity of Love Fund supporters!

“All of the family is able to sleep through the night because Teegan is able to sleep through the night in this chair. This gives Teegan more focus, and he is able to learn and build his skills better.” - Angela Pierce, Support Coordinator, Eitas

Meet Scarlett

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 07:33:48 GMT

Meet Scarlett

Scarlett is a spunky six month old who already shows her big personality and loves snuggles. Her start into the world was a bit rocky, as she immediately went to the NICU where she spent five days until she was allowed to go home.

At three months, Scarlett was diagnosed with Plagiocephaly, a condition that causes a baby’s skull to become flattened in one area, and Torticollis, a stiff neck that makes it hard or painful to turn the head. Her parents diligently performed the recommended exercises to improve her condition. They also took her to physical therapy and worked with medical professionals on repositioning. Despite their efforts, Scarlett’s condition did not improve after two months. A custom helmet was recommended to correct her cranial anomaly.

Without the helmet her head shape would be noticeably different from her peers so her family approached the Love Fund for assistance. Thanks to Love Fund supporters, Scarlett was able to receive this non-invasive treatment that will correct her skull and help her avoid potential complications associated with skull asymmetry. Now Scarlett is looking super cute in her new custom helmet!

“With a little help we can get this little one back on track to a normal life.” ~Jessica, Scarlett’s Mother

Jackson's Social Progress

Mon, 27 May 2024 07:43:08 GMT

Jackson's Social Progress

Jackson is a very caring, energetic, and curious ten-year-old boy. He loves to learn new things and soaks up knowledge like a sponge! While he has a wide variety of interests (including cars, insects, and mathematics), his current fascination is with the history of computers (Apple and Microsoft). His memory is photographic in nature, and he loves researching the stylistic evolution of the home computer and then drawing it on paper with his colored pencils. He loves creating "history" books on how the look of things evolves over time.

Jackson also has a six-year-old sister who he adores and who is very protective of him. They love to play together, and he is very kind and gentle with her and always makes sure she is included. He is definitely a rule follower and cautious, whereas his sister tends to 'leap before looking.' This is a great balance between them, and he is always making sure she is safe and protected.

Jackson has autism spectrum disorder and participates in regular ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy to expand his social skills and have successful interactions with others. Jackson’s family approached the Love Fund for assistance with his year-round therapy. Historically, Jackson avoided social interactions with peers and would not join in group play or speak to classmates. He also exhibited work refusal during school. He made tremendous gains last year and now attends classes without a paraprofessional. He is now interacting with peers at recess and initiating homework on his own at home! He continues to work on navigating complex social situations in therapy. Thank you, Love Fund supporters, for helping Jackson develop skills that will help him throughout his life.

“ Watching his growth and abilities develop with the help of ABA therapy over the last eight years has been a wonder to watch.” Jamie, Jackson’s Mother

Meet Karl

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 15:46:37 GMT

Meet Karl

Karl is a five year old boy with a kind heart who loves to laugh. Hugs are one of his favorite things because they keep him calm when he's upset. When Karl is happy, he likes to give people hugs and his family kisses. His favorite toys are planets/rockets/solar systems and farm animals/barn.

Karl is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He spent the first years of his life nonverbal, and at the age of four started saying a few words. He has difficulty with social connections and regulating his emotions. Early on after he was diagnosed, he was enrolled in speech therapy and occupational therapy.

Karl’s family approached the Love Fund for assistance with speech and occupational therapy services that are not covered by insurance. Through occupational therapy he has learned to express his feelings instead of being violent by hurting himself and others around him. Through ongoing speech therapy he now speaks a few words and continues to improve.

The family is very thankful for the support of the Love Fund so that Karl can continue his success in programs that have proven so beneficial for him.

“Even though progress was slow, having Karl in speech therapy gave him the extra help he needed to begin making verbal progress. Occupational therapy sessions also helped Karl understand and learn how to express and control his feelings.” Kathryn, Karl’s Mother

Meet Isaiah

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 07:51:23 GMT

Meet Isaiah

A huge thank you everyone who contributed to Isaiah’s gifts! Isaiah and I are so grateful. As soon as we got home from parent teacher conferences he opened the bags of clothes. Then he paired the shirts with the pants because he said he’s going to look good tomorrow and the next day!

He said, "We’re living the good life,” after seeing everything he was gifted.

Again, thank you so, so much!" ~Val, Isaiah's Mother

2023 Love Fund in Review

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 07:57:28 GMT

2023 Love Fund in Review

In 2023, the Love Fund served 8,768 children through our programs and events. We set two new records: serving the unique, unmet needs of 627 children through our Life Essentials program and 1920 teens through our Sack it for Santa holiday gift program. We encourage you to view our 2023 Impact Report to learn more about this exciting year.

HOW WE HELPED KC KIDS

Continuing to honor the Love Fund’s mission, our core efforts focused on fulfilling the unmet needs of Kansas City children. Through our Life Essentials program, 176 children received a new twin bed; 74 infants and toddlers received essential baby items, including strollers, car seats, and health products; 41 children had their medical needs met; and nearly 433 children received new clothing. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide priceless gifts: mobility and safety for special needs children, a good night’s sleep, and confidence in wearing new clothing.

Through our School Supply Drive, 6,150 children received the supplies needed to return to school with dignity, ready to learn.

During the holiday season 1920 teens received gifts through the Sack it for Santa program. We also hosted 41 children at Banneker Elementary School in Kansas City, KS for a fun Thanksgiving celebration with dinner from Stroud’s and a visit from Santa. 30 children enjoyed shopping with superheroes to select clothing and toys at our December Shop With the Love Fund event.

What’s Ahead in 2024

We are grateful for the financial and volunteer commitment of our Love Fund supporters who made 2023 a great year for the Love Fund. We hope you will join us at our upcoming fundraising events:

35th Annual Golf Classic - May 6th at Lions Gate Golf Club
Family Fun Run - June 1st at Worlds of Fun

With your involvement, we can make an even bigger impact in 2024!

"The majority of our families are single heads of household and low income or under employed. Our school relies on the kindness and generosity of community partners for school supplies. The Love Fund is our biggest donor in fact we have received school supplies, uniforms, beds, bedding, bikes, and of course, Sack it for Santa gifts. The Love Fund’s impact on our teens and the school overall is phenomenal. For many of our students the impact of the organization is immeasurable." - Sonya Parks Lee A. Tolbert Academy

Meet Kian

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:28 GMT

Meet Kian

Kian is a 6 ½ year old boy who has the best smile and laugh! He loves watching his favorite movies (Trolls, Frozen, Moana, Zootopia, Coco, etc) and listening to the soundtracks from those movies. He loves his family and also his friends at school and church. He is silly and playful and enjoys being outside, playing on swings and exploring sensory activities. He loves to eat all his favorite foods like pizza and chicken and can eat snacks like chips and ice cream at any hour of the day!

Kian is also autistic and non-speaking. He also has a genetic chromosome disorder and kidney disease. He struggles with sensory challenges that can make it hard for him to maintain body regulation and control his impulses for sensory seeking behaviors. He is an amazing problem solver and communicates using his AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device.

At school and at home, Kian has an amazing multidisciplinary team that provides co-regulation, speech, occupational, and behavior support. He benefits from having a team that knows him, understands him, and supports him through these different strategies. When Kian is regulated and open for learning and engaging, he loves to explore activities and has grown in showing interest in engaging with friends/peers.

Kian requires 24 hour support at home. Outings like shopping and doctor’s appointments are difficult due to Kian’s self-regulation challenges. Kian’s parents approached the Love Fund for assistance with attending a weeklong therapy camp in Colorado. Adam’s Camp offers a multidisciplinary team of speech, physical, occupational, music, art, and behavioral therapists. Kian’s family will also participate in activities allowing for social and emotional learning as well as family time in the mountains of Colorado. At the conclusion of camp, Kian’s family will receive a comprehensive clinical report which provides updates on the things Kian enjoyed and accomplished during camp as well as goals and therapies that can be employed when home and in school.

Special thanks to the Love Fund supporters for providing this unique, summer opportunity for Kian and his family.

“We are excited for Kian to attend a therapy camp for a week in the summer to continue to give him opportunities to explore and participate in activities that he enjoys while also getting time with other peers.” - Stephanie, Kian’s Mother

Meet Luke

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 08:19:59 GMT

Meet Luke

Luke is a four year old boy who loves working with REAL tools - play tools just don’t get the job done! He enjoys playing with sensory bins, playdough, and sand. His creative, mechanical brain delights in watching car videos and going looking for trains. He loves vegetables and will eat tomatoes straight from the garden.

In the midst of multiple life changes for the family, Luke was diagnosed with Autism. Luke’s parents decided to move from St. Louis to Kansas City to be closer to family for support. Luke can now practice social interactions with his cousins and receive extra care from his extended family. While they have a wonderful support system now, the environmental change was challenging for Luke and set him back behaviorally.

Luke started ABA Therapy and Occupational Therapy in Kansas City and has shown improvement socially and behaviorally. The therapists recommended the family create a calming, quiet space for Luke at home. They recommended some sensory items that would help him adapt to his new environment and self-regulate. Luke’s parents approached the Love Fund for assistance with a weighted vest, swivel chair, rocker, and a body sock. His mother reports that he is easily settled with the rocking motion now that he can climb into the floor rocker and rock himself back and forth. He loves squeezes so when he is struggling, they use the body sock to regulate his sensory needs.

“These items are a huge blessing to our family, and we can’t wait to see how they impact Luke’s daily life!” - Stacy, Luke’s Mother

Meet Howie

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:23:08 GMT

Meet Howie

Howie is an active and inquisitive seven year old with developmental disabilities that prevent him from understanding hazardous situations. Thanks to Love Fund supporters, Howie received a tall gate to keep him from harm in the kitchen and a sleeper that zips up the back to keep him from removing his diaper at night. These items not only protect Howie but offer peace of mind to his parents.

"We are thrilled! Thank you again! These items are so helpful!" ~ Amber, Howie's Mom

Serenity Discovered the Wonder of Camp

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 08:31:06 GMT

Serenity Discovered the Wonder of Camp

Serenity is an 8 year old girl who is very social and loves making people laugh. During the summer her interaction with peers is limited because she is ineligible for summer school due to her medical needs. She loves being with friends and expressed a desire to have sleepovers during the summer. Her mother knew traditional sleepovers weren’t an option, so she began researching camp opportunities for Serenity.

She discovered a specialty camp in Rocky Mount, Missouri that looked perfect for Serenity. Wonderland Camp provides children, teenagers and adults with disabilities the opportunity to come to camp. With assistance from the Love Fund, Serenity was able to enjoy a full week at camp! She got to have sleepovers and make lifetime friendships with her cabinmates and counselors. Her favorite activity was swimming, but she also enjoyed helping prepare meals, tye dyeing her camp shirt and playing outside. Thank you Love Fund supporters for helping Serenity gain independence and feel empowered to try new things after her camp experience!

“For one whole week, Serenity got to go make friends and spend the night, and I am grateful.” ~ Alishia, Serenity’s mother

Come meet Serenity in person and learn more about her story at It’s in the Bag on November 4th.

Baron is All Smiles at Mealtime and Beyond

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:34:08 GMT

Baron is All Smiles at Mealtime and Beyond

Baron is a 22-month-old boy who loves to smile and laugh. He brings sunshine and joy to his family daily; they call him “Mr. Smiles.” He loves his older brother and being held by his dad. He isn’t crawling yet, but he is moving more each day and wants to be part of the family action.

Baron has Cerebral Palsy and global developmental delays. As a result of his delays, Baron is not sitting or standing independently. Baron relies on caregivers for transitions and is unable to hold his head up or maintain head control without support. As a result, he needs assistance with daily feeding and mealtime routines.

Baron’s family requested a portable, postural support seat which supports his overall bone health, respiratory health and GI function. The Firefly Go-To Seat enables him to eat sitting upright on the floor or at the table with the family. When using the seat, he is now able to sit up and play with his brother. Even better, the seat is portable and can be attached to his wagon so he can sit upright for walks and go outside to watch his dad coach soccer. To all who support Love Fund, thank you for helping the family reach their goal of engaging Baron in family activities!

“The Firefly Go-To Seat gives him the confidence and autonomy to feel included.”

Summer camp for Hope

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 08:37:18 GMT

Summer camp for Hope

Hope is a 15 year old girl who is outgoing and loves hugs and family time. Hope has cerebral palsy, is a quadriplegic and has many health concerns. Her health can sometimes alienate her socially especially during the summer months when she is unable to attend summer school.

Her family approached the Love Fund for assistance with her favorite summertime activity - attending Camp Barnabas. The Camp provides the medical support she needs while also giving her a sense of community among campers with similar health struggles. With these peers, she can be her true self. Hope also will enjoy numerous outdoor activities like other teenagers. She thrives on the camp friendships, the encouragement from staff, and the opportunities to try new things.

Thanks to Love Fund supporters, like you, Hope will be found swimming, fishing, canoeing, attending masquerade balls and more for one week this summer!

“When we asked Hope if she would be willing to attend camp again, she was ecstatic and could not stop smiling and whaling her arm about. She could not wipe the biggest smile off her face!”

— Hope's Big Sister

Meet Nathaniel

Thu, 04 May 2023 09:05:18 GMT

Meet Nathaniel

Nathaniel is a 6-year-old with an enormous personality! He smiles and laughs often and enjoys being active. He enjoys swimming, swinging, going for walks, bouncing on a trampoline, going to Royals games, and spending time with his friends and family. He loves Chick-Fil-A mac ‘n cheese and all desserts! Nathaniel is a great big brother to his younger sister and is excited to meet his new little brother who arrives this summer.

Nathaniel has a diagnosis of CDKL-5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare neurodevelopmental condition characterized by early on-set epilepsy, low muscle tone and developmental challenges. He is non-ambulatory and has limited purposeful body movements. As Nathaniel has grown and his seizure activity has increased, his caregivers are no longer able to carry him to their basement for safety during storms and to access the sensory room created for him.

Nathaniel’s family approached the Love Fund for partial support of a motorized mobile chair stair lift. The stair lift is a portable, battery powered wheelchair with caterpillar tracks that allows it to move up and down stairs without physical strain on the caregiver. Since the stair lift is portable Nathaniel now has the ability to access places in the community in the homes of family and friends previously unavailable to him.

“Thank you, Love Fund supporters, for providing this lifelong gift for Nathaniel and his family!”

— Youth Advocate

Bath time for Cupid

Tue, 02 May 2023 08:39:34 GMT

Summer camp for Hope

Cupid is an 11 year old boy who is very sweet and caring. He enjoys playing with action figures and singing along with his favorite TV shows. Cupid’s life looks a little different than other kids his age because Cupid has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Bathing Cupid was a challenge for his family because he moved around too much. They were concerned for his safety while in the bath tub. His family applied to the Love Fund for a pediatric bath chair. The pediatric bath chair provides both support and safety with its adjustable seat, positioning straps, and slip-resistant legs.

Cupid’s family is encouraging him to become more independent. Since receiving the bath chair they have been working with him to bathe independently. His mother was very happy to recently report that, “since receiving the bath chair Cupid was able to take his first independent bath where he washed his body from head to toe without fighting or stress. “

Thank you, Love Fund Supporters, for fulfilling this unique need. Cupid is safe, gaining independence, and cleaner thanks to you!

Lila’s New Tricycle

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:43:09 GMT

Lila’s New Tricycle

Lila is a three year old who is full of energy! She loves being with people, cuddling, and listening to music. She loves being outside to hear wind chimes or birds and feel the sun on her face. Her favorite thing to do is swim and splash in the water.

Lila has a diagnosis of Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic, neurological disorder that limits her motor planning and postural control. She is not yet walking independently and relies on a gait trainer for upright mobility. Her options for outdoor play were somewhat limited by her mobility and gross motor skills.

Lila’s family and physical therapist applied to the Love Fund for an adaptive tricycle. The tricycle provides lap and chest straps that ensure Lila’s safety while riding. The foot plates have a heel trap and two straps to keep her feet in place while she learns to ride independently.

With her new tricycle Lila can now spend time outside with family and friends while improving her strength and gross motor skills. The tricycle will greatly extend Lila’s outdoor play opportunities and will evoke more of her heart-melting smiles.

“It is a fun and functional way to improve Lila’s strength and skills to participate in activities with family and other kids her age”

— Jenn Powell, PT, MS, Lila’s Physical Therapist

Lukas’ Bed Tent

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 08:48:46 GMT

Lukas’ Bed Tent

Lukas is a four-year-old boy who loves swimming, jumping, going to the zoo and aquarium, coin collecting and playing with animals. He enjoys school and putting on “shows” for friends and family. He is funny, witty, and smart. He enjoys making people laugh.

Lukas has a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and has difficulty sleeping at night. When he is unable to sleep well, he is very tired during the day. For Christmas Lukas received a regular play tent. He enjoyed being enclosed in a smaller, different space and would often fall asleep in the tent. Placing the play tent on Lukas’ bed was unsafe so upon his therapist’s suggestion the family requested a bed tent.

The bed tent will help Lukas sleep better and be well rested during the day. The tent will make going to bed an exciting part of his night time routine and will help him feel safe and settled at night.

“I am so happy for Lukas already. Thank you again.”

— Maura Poke, Lukas’ Case Manager, Center for Human Services

Meet Anna

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 08:52:34 GMT

Meet Anna

Anna is a 15-year-old girl who loves to listen to music, go to school, take bubble baths, and play with her siblings. Art and PE are her favorite subjects in school. Her favorite thing to eat is chocolate ice cream, and she loves Taco Bell!

Anna was born at 29 weeks with spastic, quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, intellectual disabilities, seizures, and cortical blindness. Her diagnoses affect her mobility and motor skills. She primarily uses a walker at home and is unable to walk upstairs. Anna’s bedroom is on the second floor of the family home. As she has grown, it has become more difficult for her caregivers to transport her up the stairs. To prevent the risk of injury to both Anna and her caregivers, the family requested assistance with a motorized stair lift.

The Love Fund partnered with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation to provide the requested financial assistance for the customized lift. The stair lift will accommodate Anna through adulthood. Thank you Love Fund supporters for providing a gift that will keep Anna and her guardians safe long-term!

“You have changed this family’s life in a big way!”

— Maura Poke, Case Manager, Center for Human Services

Gracie is Out and About in Her New Stroller

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 08:55:26 GMT

Gracie is Out and About in Her New Stroller

Gracie is a four year old girl who loves to be outside and active. She enjoys outings to the park, zoo, shopping and just taking a walk with her family. Her diagnoses of Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) and Autism cause her to tire easily and limit her walking stamina. As she grew her mother was unable to carry her everywhere and oftentimes had to decline community outings that Gracie would enjoy.

Gracie’s family applied to the Love Fund for a special needs stroller. Her new stroller includes a five-point harness that keeps her safe; it also has the ability to recline in case Gracie needs to rest while out and about. The stroller is larger than a traditional baby stroller and will allow her to safely and comfortably enjoy outings for many years. The stroller is lightweight and easy to fold making it easy for Gracie’s caregivers to take her on the outings she enjoys!

“Fox 4 Love Fund’s gift of a stroller will open up Gracie’s world where she can be active and interactive as an able-bodied little girl.”

— Terry England, Youth Advocate

Claire is Ready to Swim!

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 09:00:21 GMT

Claire is Ready to Swim!

Claire is a 13-year-old girl who loves to swim! She especially loves summer when her neighborhood pool is open. According to her family, she would spend every waking moment in the pool if she could!

Claire’s diagnosis of Autism and an intellectual disability affect her ability to comprehend water safety. While she is in the water, she likes to dip her head into the water and drink it. In the past, this has caused her to choke which created a safety concern.

The Love Fund was happy to fulfill Claire’s unique need by providing her with an adaptive life vest that safely keeps her head above water and prohibits her from drinking it. The vest allows for freedom of movement while also providing appropriate buoyancy to keep Claire safe. This summer both Claire and her family can now safely embrace the joy of swimming!

“This life jacket will give her parents peace of mind and allow Claire to live a more meaningful life as it would help her access her community pool safely”

— Joanna Edenburn, Youth Advocate

Helping AJ Sleep Safely

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 09:09:52 GMT

Helping AJ Sleep Safely

AJ is a very happy two-year-old boy who loves to eat avocados and get hugs and kisses from his siblings when they return home from school. He loves to speed crawl around the house when he knows one of his family members is chasing him, and his smile lights up the room.

AJ was born with Pallister-Killian Syndrome (PKS) which is an extremely rare genetic disorder; the prevalence is estimated at 1 in 20,000. His condition is characterized by weak muscle tone, intellectual impairment, developmental delays, distinct facial features, seizures, and other birth defects. Due to PKS, AJ is behind on many developmental milestones including sitting, creeping and standing. He experiences vision and hearing defects and utilizes hearing aids.

His lack of safety awareness and motor skill limitations make it unsafe for him to sleep in a crib or a traditional bed with rails. He could pull up on the crib and would be in danger of falling out. Also, he was getting his legs caught in the rails and was unable to free himself. The family requested funding for a Cubby Bed safety bed which has a tensioned canopy and zippered enclosure that prevents him from eloping, self-harm, strangulation, and entrapment. He will be able to utilize the bed for decades!

The Love Fund partnered with the United HealthCare Children’s Foundation and Bishop Sullivan to fund the bed.

To learn more about AJ check out his video - https://youtu.be/vkIn-4hTA_k

40 years Together

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 09:17:09 GMT

40 years Together

40 Years of Impact: 1981-2021

In 2021, the Love Fund celebrated our 40th year of service and provided help to over 9,000 children! Since the Love Fund’s inception in 1981, we have fulfilled the unmet needs of over 200,000 children. To celebrate, 40 Birthday Ambassadors shared our mission and fundraised for our programs throughout the year. Thank you to everyone who has supported us through the years and helped us celebrate turning the Big 4-0!

Large Increase in Life Essentials Items

Last year Kansas City families were still deeply affected by the pandemic. Through our Life Essentials Program, the Love Fund served 43% more children in 2021 than in 2020 - that’s more than 150 children! We partnered with case managers to fulfill children’s unmet needs: 135 children were approved for new twin beds; 40 children received hygiene items; 42 babies/toddlers received baby items; 32 children had their unique medical needs met; and 348 children received new clothing. Due to your support we were able to provide priceless gifts: safety for children in new car seats, comfort for children wrapped in new bedding, and dignity for those wearing new clothing. We served families who had to leave everything behind to flee domestic violence and many who were forced to prioritize utility bills over new clothing for their children. We hear countless stories every week of the children in Kansas City who need assistance, and we are excited to continue to fill the gaps in 2022.

Exciting Return to In-Person Events

We were able to host our fundraising and client-facing events in person! Golfers enjoyed our Annual Golf Classic and shoppers supported us in person and online for It’s in the Bag. But we were most excited to assist with the distribution of over 7,000 school supplies to Kansas City students as they returned to in person school. We also loved seeing the smiling faces of the 27 children at our Thanksgiving event who got to share their holiday wishes with Santa and leave with a new coat, gloves, hat and non-perishable food for their family. In December, we were elated to once again partner with the Chiefs Ambassadors for Shop with the Love Fund. At this event, 30 joyful children selected their holiday gifts with the assistance of our volunteers. We also served a record number of teens through Sack it for Santa - 1,640 sacks were distributed! This year we added a salty snack and a reusable water bottle to each teen’s bag in addition to their fun gift, winter warmth gear, hygiene kit, and chocolate.

Our New Leader

In June, Amanda Jackson joined the Love Fund as our new Executive Director. In her first seven months with the Love Fund, Amanda has applied her 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to improve our administrative and financial processes. Her boundless energy and events experience have already invigorated our in-person fundraising events. Her impact in 2022 is limitless!

Feedback from Case Managers

Hearing positive feedback from the Case Managers we work with every day is the best motivation for the new year. See a few of their thoughts below:

“Thank you so much for doing this each year for the kids! This blesses us, the families, and the kids!”

“I am thankful for the resource. It pleased me to see the happy faces and the gratitude the families expressed.”

“Thank You, Thank You! A great deal of preteens and teens were blessed by the generosity of the Sack it for Santa donors.”

We are excited to partner with professional youth advocates in 2022 to identify and meet the needs of Kansas City children.

We are tremendously grateful to our Love Fund donors and volunteers. We love working with you and appreciate your commitment to caring for the children of Kansas City.

Custom Made for Caleb

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 09:20:57 GMT

Custom Made for Caleb

Caleb is a 17-year-old boy who LOVES to swing! As a small child, swinging on a swing set gave him a way to decompress after a very overwhelming day. Caleb came home from Russia at the age of 14 months and has always struggled with sensory overload due to his diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Swinging is an integral part of his daily emotional recovery.

As Caleb grew, the family’s child size swing set became too small and started to fall apart from usage. In 2020, they had to remove it from their yard. Losing his swing set was hard for Caleb. The family tried other ways to supplement his need to swing. but nothing calmed his sensory nerves like the movement he experienced on the swing set. The family applied to the Love Fund for a custom-made swing set that is the perfect size for Caleb.

Love Fund supporters provided the lumber and hardware for the swing set. Then Caleb and his dad picked up the materials at the hardware store and assembled it together! The motion of the swinging has given him a calmer, happier feeling.

“The opportunity we have received from the Love Fund to build Caleb his own custom-made swing set has been priceless! When we first mentioned the opportunity for him to have a swing set that would fit his height and weight, he was so excited and couldn’t stop smiling. From the moment it was ready to go, Caleb has been swinging on it for an hour or more a day. Thank you so much for this special blessing”

— Rachel (Caleb's Mom)

Meet Michael

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 09:24:23 GMT

Meet Michael

Michael is a four year old boy with a tender heart and an appetite for adventure. He is a social child who enjoys school music groups and visiting his grandparents. He especially loves to be outdoors climbing, swimming, swinging and collecting rocks. But his absolute favorite thing to do outside is ride a bike during recess at school.

Michael is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and needs an adaptive tricycle in order to ride safely. His family approached the Love Fund for assistance with purchasing an adaptive tricycle so Michael could have the joy of riding at home with the family. The bike will allow him the opportunity for cardiovascular exercise; improve his overall coordination; strengthen his gross motor skills; and extend his social opportunities while riding and playing with his family and neighborhood friends.

Thanks to our Love Fund supporters, Michael is able to ride his bike at home extending his outdoor exploration and play skills in a safe and fun manner!

“With your help, Michael will be able to experience the joy of riding his bike independently and safely.”

— Michael's Mom

Tyrique's Adventures in Spain

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 09:28:27 GMT

Tyrique's Adventures in Spain

At the end of the school year, Tyrique was looking forward to his summer study abroad program in Spain. Unfortunately, as the final payment date approached he found he was unable to meet the final financial commitment. Tyrique and his youth advocate asked the Love Fund to assist with financial support so he could make his dream of studying in Spain a reality. Upon returning from Spain, Tyrique wanted to share his experiences with YOU, the Love Fund supporter who helped make his trip possible. Tyrique wanted the chance to sincerely thank everyone who stepped. Below is an account from Tyrique about his Spanish adventure.

Upon arriving in Spain I soon learned that my host family did not speak any English, and I would be in for a tough time trying to communicate with them. My host family was from Ecuador so I was getting taught two different cultures at once. I love them so much; I still talk to my mom and brother.

A typical day in Spain would be to wake up at 8:15, eat breakfast, talk to my family, listen to music and then get ready for school. I would try to leave my apartment around 8:45 just so I would have time to make it to the metro and be prepared for delayed trains. I would ride the train and then walk about a quarter of a mile to reach my school neighborhood. My school would start at 9:30 and then finish class at 12:30. After that, we'd eat lunch and do our community conversation where we'd discuss things like culture shock or how being abroad has impacted us. After that, we had free time to explore the city before having our cultural activities. The activities were based on groups of students who lived near each other, and a program leader would take us to famous attractions in Madrid.

During my first week in Spain, my family took me on a weekend trip to Cuenca which is about an hour outside of Madrid. We walked up a very large hill to eat at this cool restaurant at the top. They refer to this town as the houses on the hills, it was very beautiful.

“Thank you so much for helping me out financially on this trip. Spain was amazing and I am beyond grateful to all who helped make It possible”

— Tyrique, Love Fund kid

Keeping Pablo Safe

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 09:31:37 GMT

Keeping Pablo Safe

Pablo is six years old and loves superheroes, bubbles, the outdoors, swimming, his grandparents and playing anything with his brothers. He loves to visit the lake and talk to his grandparents and uncles via FaceTime. Pablo also loves being social, music and dancing!

Pablo has Down syndrome and is also a cancer survivor. Due to his health, chemotherapy and COVID, he has been very isolated over the last several years. Because of this, Pablo has not had the opportunity to attend daycare, school or socialize as his typical peers would and lacks awareness of his surroundings. In public settings, Pablo demonstrates no fear. He will elope (run away) or grab on to anyone's hand and walk away with a complete stranger.

Oftentimes, insurance will cover devices for children who elope with other intellectual disabilities but not Down syndrome. His family struggled to find the necessary resources to keep him safe. They approached the Love Fund for an AngelSense GPS tracking device and one year of monitoring. Now all Pablo’s caregivers have peace of mind knowing they can find Pablo if he were to elope again.

“We really appreciate the Love Fund for doing this for our family and helping to keep Pablo safe as he starts kindergarten this year. Pablo participates in the Take Me Home program with local law enforcement, and we can share this GPS information with those who need it (police, teachers, etc). Thank you so much for your generosity!”

— Ashley Martinez, Pablo’s Mother

Meet Florence

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 09:34:13 GMT

Meet Florence

Florence is a very silly and social six year old girl. Florence has Cerebral Palsy requiring complex care for visual impairment, swallowing difficulties, and is dependent on the use of a wheelchair. Though she is non verbal and faces many challenges, she is always funny and sweet. Whenever her family is mentioned she glows! Her favorite time of the school day is going to the general education classroom to be around her peers. She loves listening to music and using her vision therapy light box at school.

Florence’s family approached the Love Fund for assistance with purchasing a rehabilitation table for their home. Her caregivers were having to lift her from her wheelchair and transfer her to the floor for her therapies which was becoming strenuous as she grew. The mat table enables Florence to have therapy at home, helps with her feeding, increases independence and aid in activities of daily living. The Love Fund is thrilled to bring even more smiles to Florence and her family!

“The table will enable us to get her up off the floor and make her therapies so much more convenient and easy.”

— Daniel Winter, Florence's Father

Meet Josiah

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 09:37:12 GMT

Meet Josiah

Josiah is a 22 month old boy who likes giving kisses and playing with toys and sensory balls. He loves to make his family giggle while playing. Josiah was born with an extremely rare gene mutation that has caused many challenges including swallowing, epilepsy, and the need for supplemental oxygen. He is the first person in the world with his specific gene misspelling. He is a true miracle, and it’s a joy to see him achieve new milestones daily.

The family approached the Love Fund for assistance with the cost of training a medical alert dog. The family had already purchased a German Shepard named Jasmine and was working with IronHeart High Performance Working Dogs, LLC to train her. Jasmine will alert the family of the onset of Josiah’s seizures so they can intervene with life saving medicine and ensure Josiah is safe. She will also provide Josiah comfort and distraction during unpleasant medical procedures. Jasmine is service dog compliant and will be able to be retrained to meet Josiah’s needs as he grows.

Jasmine and Josiah connected instantly, and she will be moving in with Josiah permanently in the next 30 days. The Love Fund is excited to be part of Josiah and Jasmine’s story. By contributing to Jasmine’s training, we support the family’s goal of keeping Josiah safe and healthy.

“The future is bright for Josiah. His family wants to give every opportunity for him to grow and learn.”

— Patricia Pepple, Children’s Mercy Beacon Program

Rowynn’s Summer Learning

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 09:39:09 GMT

Rowynn’s Summer Learning

Rowynn is a very energetic six year old girl who enjoys animals, being outside, and recently started dance class. At age two she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder with speech impairment. She struggles with social interaction, self awareness of safe situations and sensory processing.

The Same year as Rowynn’s diagnosis she began attending therapy sessions and classes at Marian Hope Center for Children. The Marian Hope Center has played a crucial role in her everyday life and growth, from speech and feeding therapy to physical development. Rowynn’s family applied for assistance with tuition for the summer Multi-Sensory Academic Enrichment Class, a four days/week class where Rowynn will learn to follow rules, routines, and procedures while furthering her academic skills. Continuing the class through the summer will allow Rowynn to receive the support she needs to work on self-regulation and social skills. She will practice specific strategies during social settings in the classroom and on the playground. She will learn to master her own responses and avoid escalation.

The Love Fund understands the importance of early intervention and supported the program’s ultimate goal of helping Rowynn successfully transition to a traditional school setting in the fall. We can’t wait to see Rowynn’s light shine bright in our community as she continues in her academic journey!

“By continuing to increase her skills and confidence in an accepting and loving environment, Rowynn is on her way to realizing her potential - something we believe every child should have the opportunity to do.”

— Sara English and Crystal Young, Rowynn’s Therapists

Meet Haylee

Thu, 13 May 2021 09:41:33 GMT

Meet Haylee

Haylee is a three-year-old girl who enjoys playing with princesses, coloring pictures, and squishing slime. She is enjoying learning to write her name and can already label numbers, colors, and letters!

Haylee was born with a gene mutation that causes generalized weakness and decreased muscle tone. She has recently mastered sitting upright for long periods of time, but she is currently unable to walk without maximum assistance. Haylee’s therapist requested an Upsee Mobility Harness so that Haylee can stand upright assisted by an adult who uses the shared sandals attached to the harness. Being upright improves her general muscle and bone health due to weight-bearing and movement. It also improves her respiratory health by giving her lungs more room to function. While using the harness, she also enjoys the social benefit of being at eye level with her peers.

Haylee’s parents can now use this fantastic therapeutic tool in their home and in the community at any time. This summer Haylee will be found wearing the harness to play basketball with her brother and to cheer him on at his baseball games. We can’t wait to see the amazing progress Haylee makes now that she’s mobile thanks to her new harness!

Haylee’s family has lots of plans to use the upsee harness at home and is very excited and grateful to have received this assistance from the Love Fund for Children. Thank you!

“Before Haylee, I took the ability to walk for granted. Every day, Haylee sees people around her doing something that she physically can’t. The upsee harness gives her the ability to walk that she wouldn’t have otherwise. Not only is this amazing for her physical health, but it’s also so good for her emotional health. ”

— Haylee's Mom

Meet Rebeca

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:44:27 GMT

Meet Rebeca

Rebeca is an eight year old girl with cerebral palsy who loves babies, especially her baby brother, and cooking in her play kitchen. She enjoys many outdoor activities including riding bikes, swinging, going to the playground, and playing kickball. When the outdoor temperature is warm, Rebeca suffers from seizures due to the heat. She came to the Love Fund requesting a StaCool Vest to keep her body temperature from rising while outdoors. The vest allows her to continue her outdoor play even in the heat of summer without suffering from heat induced seizures. Last summer she outgrew her previous vest so her outdoor play was restricted. She is looking forward to many hours outdoors this spring and summer in her new vest.

“The vest is a life saver. Over the summer she couldn’t use her old one due to it being too small, and she went into a seizure. It allows her to go outside to play. It’s amazing! Great for anyone with epilepsy.”

— Barbara, Rebeca’s mother