KCKidsFun

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 1-6 in the 2010-2011 school year. The 13th annual camp will be next month, July 11-15, 2011, for grades 1-3, and July 25-29, 2011 for grades 4-6. Camp is from 9am-4pm and is held at Overland Park’s Jewish Community Center, 5801 W. 115th St.  Camp costs $30 for the week, and scholarships are available.  Click here for a brochure.

You’ll definitely 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 Special Needs Camps.

This year, campers will be participating in exciting activities including games, crafts, swimming, and even a field trip and lunch out one day! Campers will understand that with proper education and asthma management, there’s no reason they 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!

The AAFA-KC chapter offices are located in KCMO, at 400 E. Red Bridge Road, Ste 214.  Telephone number is (816)3336608.

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!

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.