KCKidsFun

You may have noticed an area designated “Our Community Partners” down the left-hand side of the site. The first two organizations we have chosen to support are Children’s TLC Therapeutic Learning Center and Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Greater Kansas City Chapter (AAFA).

A little background on both: The mission of CTLC is to provide therapeutic and educational services for children with disabilities in an environment which fosters their independence and celebrates their successes. CTLC was established in Kansas City in 1947 and is located at 31st and Main Street. No child is denied services due to inability to pay.

And, readers, CTLC needs YOUR help! Volunteer now for the 2009 Groundhog Run on Jan. 25. It’s all hands on deck for this annual event: your help is needed for things like handing out T-shirts, runner check-in, assisting at the finish line, and even distributing water to the over 3000 participants. Groundhog Run is held at Hunt Midwest Subtropolis, 8300 NE Underground Drive (across from Ameristar Casino), and includes a 5K, which starts at 9am, and a 10K, which begins at 10am. All ages are welcome. To volunteer, contact Coeli Baker at cbaker@childrenstlc.org or call 816-756-0780. Click here for race details.

AAFA-KC is an organization very close to my heart–my son has severe asthma and has been on medication all of his 7 years! AAFA conducts many programs and offers services to Kansas City area children, adults and families. These include Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day, Adult Discussion Groups and Medical Equipment Assistance. In addition, AAFA’s Casino Night helps raise funds to ensure Kansas City’s kids with asthma and allergies are able to attend Superkids Asthma Day Camp each year. We profiled Asthma Camp as part of our Summer Camp Series–one of our most popular features to date!

The 14th Annual Family Asthma and Allergy Education Day will take place on March 7, 2009 at Shawnee Mission South High School (5800 W. 107th Street, OP, KS). This is a fantastic, interactive opportunity for families and individuals to learn from area health care professionals. AAFA needs YOUR help! Volunteers are needed to assist with this important day. For information, call 816-333-6608. In addition, volunteers are needed and welcome year-round to assist with programming as well as fundraising. Simply send an email to Melissa at info@aafakc.org for more information.

The year is winding down and the excitement at our house has reached fever pitch in anticipation of the BIG DAY…whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa at your house, we hope you and your families have a happy and safe holiday and get off to a healthy new year. Kate and I have had a ball with this website. Thanks to you, our readers, for reading, commenting, passing us along, entering our giveaways and generally keeping us on our toes. Who knew that Kansas City had so much to offer and so many things for our kids and families to do?!?

And now, some totally unrelated (yet totally related) personal news–my husband and I are adopting a daughter from India! We are anxiously awaiting THE CALL–that one that tells us, “Come now. She’s all yours.” We think that this might be happening any day now. My almost 7-year-old son is beyond excited to finally have a sibling and we are thrilled to have a daughter. I suppose I will soon become well-versed in all things GIRL: dance lessons, hair bows and having to actually match the shirt to the skirt to the tights. My son will pretty much walk out the door in anything, paying no attention to color, not to mention season.

At any rate, I have a ridiculous amount of things to be thankful for this year. And I can’t wait to share some pictures of my daughter with you in January. Kate and I will be somewhat quiet for the next few days as we enjoy Christmas with our families–but don’t worry–we know that by about Dec. 26, parents will be pacing the floors wondering how in the world they will entertain their children for the next 10 days. We will help you!!! Until then, wishing you all nothing but the best and brightest holiday. Cheers!

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The winners of the Globetrotter ticket giveaway will be notified via email later today. Thanks to everyone who entered! (Discounted tickets are still available on our Special Offers page)

And to update you on the Children’s TLC Wish List donation drive: KC Kids Fun readers have sent about 15 items from the Wish List to the children and teachers at the Children’s TLC special needs preschool in Kansas City, MO. All donations are tax-deductible – so get yours ordered before the end of the year for 2008 tax benefit (and to take advantage of holiday sales and shipping deals!). Thanks so much to everyone who has donated so far.

KC Kids Fun is thrilled to announce the Children’s TLC Wish List donation drive!

What is Children’s TLC?

Established in 1947, Children’s TLC provides educational and therapeutic services for children with disabilities in the Kansas City metro area. Children’s TLC is an accredited preschool located at 31st and Main. Community outreach therapy services are also provided throughout the Kansas City metro area.

Children’s TLC serves children with developmental disabilities including deaf and hard of hearing, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, genetic disorders and children with an autism spectrum disorder. They offer special education, occupational, physical, aquatic and speech therapy programs to over 500 children each year, meeting the needs of children in a seven county area.

How the Children’s TLC Wish List Works and How YOU Can Help

So, what can YOU do? Click here to take a look at the Children’s TLC Wish List. Then choose an item or several items you would like to donate to the kids and teachers of Children’s TLC. This is your chance to give to some children who really need your help – whether it be a single book or a wagon or a sign language DVD series. There are items in every price range – give as little or as much as you’d like. EVERY donation is appreciated.

After you have chosen your item(s) to donate and paid for it through the Amazon wishlist, the item(s) will be shipped directly to Children’s TLC and you’re finished! It’s just that easy to give.

Children’s TLC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. So, your donation is tax-deductible – simply retain your Amazon email confirmation/receipt for your tax records.

One last time: the Wish List is Here – Click Here to Help!

Then What?

After you’ve purchased and completed your donation, PLEASE come back here to this page and leave a comment to let us know what you’ve donated! And then forward this page on to all of your friends so that the very special kids and teachers at Children’s TLC get the things they need to continue their hard work and fantastic progress! Thank You Kansas City!