KCKidsFun

You long-time readers know by now that there are two organizations which are especially near and dear to our hearts–Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center (CTLC) and Asthma & Allergy Foundation, Greater Kansas City chapter (AAFA).

Both help Kansas Citians–from all walks of life–in extraordinary ways.  I wanted to let you all know what AAFA has been up to and provide some contact information in case you or someone you know needs some help!  AAFA recently hosted its annual SuperKids Asthma Camp, and it was bigger and better than ever.  The day camp is for kids, diagnosed with asthma and allergies, entering 2nd through 7th grades, and it lasts one week.  In addition to being tons of fun for the kids, they are in a medically supervised environment and leave the camp feeling empowered and educated about how to take charge of their health.  The SuperKids spent some time at Kaufmann Stadium and also with Brett Anthony, meteorologist on NBC Action News.

AAFA’s yearly fundraiser is fast approaching!  Saturday, October 17, 2009, the Overland Park Sheraton will be transformed into “A Night in Monte Carlo”–featuring dinner, a lively casino party and an auction.  Tickets are still available!  Call Executive Director, Melissa Ford, at 816.333.6608 for details.

Looking forward, in March 2010, AAFA hosts its annual Family Asthma & Allergy Education Day. This is a fabulous interactive opportunity for local families and individuals alike to learn more about asthma and allergies.  This is the 15th year for the program…so you know it’s good!

We are proud to be one of  AAFA’s community partners and encourage you to check them out–and even volunteer!

RED Development’s Duck Derby benefitting Children’s TLC will take place this SUNDAY–June 28, 2009 on the Country Club Plaza.  You can catch the festivities starting at 11am; the fun lasts until 4pm!

What is Duck Derby, you might ask?  Imagine 20,000 rubber ducks floating down Brush Creek on the Plaza–all for a good cause!  The ducks are individually numbered and “adopted” with lots of cool prizes up for grabs.  The “duck drop” is a sight your family won’t soon forget–they are dropped from a net suspended from a crane!

A duck adoption will cost you only $5, with online adoptions closing at midnight Saturday!  Walk-up adoptions will be accepted until 1pm Sunday.  There will be lots of entertainment and family-friendly things to do–a great afternoon on the Plaza for a great cause–the kids at our city’s own Children’s TLC preschool. Kate and I love this organization and wish everyone the best on Sunday!  Good luck.

We also wanted to remind you about another organization we are thrilled to support–the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AAFA-KC).  Melissa Ford is the Executive Director of our local chapter and she is a dynamite lady.  She runs a world-class chapter here in KC and part of that is the annual Superkids Asthma Camp; a one week program for asthmatic children who have finished grades 2-6. The children benefit from close contact with other children who are similarly afflicted with asthma. Each child learns about asthma management through games, crafts, outdoor activities including swimming, an Asthma Olympics, and other fun activities from experienced health care professionals. The camp is a safe, medically supervised environment that fosters understanding and self-management of the disease without negative peer pressure. Also on staff are teen counselors who also suffer from asthma. These teens help reinforce that asthma does not have to limit children’s lives.

Depending on your camper’s age, camp will either be the week of July 13-17 or July 27-31.  Open this brochure for all the specifics and how to register.  Don’t forget–scholarships are available, too.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AAFA) is one of our local partner organizations. We are proud of this partnership and wanted to share one of the great things that AAFA is doing for kids with asthma and allergies. AAFA hosts a fun-filled, week-long day camp for kids who have just completed grades 2-6. The 10th annual camp will be next week, July 21-25, and is already filled; but you might want to contact AAFA to learn about some of the other great services for your kids and other family members with asthma and allergies! Also, don’t forget to click back to our series on Summer Camps–especially #6/Special Needs.

This year, 50 campers will be participating in exciting activities including games, crafts, swimming, and even a field trip to Science City at Union Station! There will also be a visit from a Wizards player to help drive home the message that with proper education and asthma management, there’s no reason that kids should be limited in their summer activities. Superkids Asthma Day Camp ensures a safe, medically supervised environment for kids, and they will leave feeling informed and empowered to manage their asthma. Have a great week, campers!