Charities We Support
Bags of Fun Kansas City
The mission of Bags of Fun Kansas City and the Gabby Krause Foundation is to make a difference in the lives of children and their families who are faced with fighting cancer and other long- term childhood conditions. They do this by bringing the healing power of play to them through a bag of fun.
A bag of fun is a brightly colored backpack filled to the brim with 12-15 items hand-picked for each child based on their interests, developmental needs and treatment plan. Gabby Krause, an amazing 6-year old, had the original bag of fun to stay busy and happy during long hospital visits. It was Gabby’s wish that every child at the hospital could have their own bag of fun. Though Gabby lost her fight with cancer at such an early age, Bags of Fun KC strives to continue to honor her legacy through this amazing, unique program!
Bags of Fun KC is 10 years strong and have delivered over 1300 bags of fun to children in the fight of their lives thanks to the generous Kansas City community.
Charlie’s House
In 2007, Charlie Horn, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy from Kansas City, died after a dresser he was
climbing tipped over. The dresser was only about 30-inches tall, showing how easily a mishap in the home could turn into a tragedy. So, Brett and Jenny Horn, Charlie’s parents, turned their tragedy into a mission to prevent accidents and injuries to children in and around the house, accidents that cause injury or even death.
Charlie’s House fulfills its mission by increasing awareness of the hazards that could cause an injury, educating parents, caregivers, and health professionals on mitigating risks, and distributing safety devices. Each year, the organization distributes more than 10,000 safety devices to families; over 80% of the parents served are income challenged.
Their primary program is their Safety Demonstration House. Opened in May 2021, this first-in-the-nation safety simulation center is located between the UMKC Medical School Hospital Hill campus and the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department. It resembles a typical residential home inside and out, with room-by-room displays illustrating potential dangers to children and recommended preventive measures. A virtual tour experience was unveiled the same day the House opened. More than 500 tours have been given since its opening.
The opening of the Safety Demonstration House served as a catalyst for program growth. Since opening in 2021, five new home safety programs have been launched. All services and programs at Charlie’s House are offered at no cost. Children need to feel they are safe. At Charlie’s House, we are making that happen.
Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City
Since 1985, the Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City has remained dedicated to making dreams come true for critically or chronically ill children. As a 100 percent volunteer organization, granting dreams is our mission, smiling children is our vision. And in more than three decades, our devoted volunteers and generous business supporters have created thousands of smiles. We are proud to say that more than 85 percent of the funds raised or donated to the Greater Kansas City chapter of the Dream Factory remain right here, granting the dreams of deserving children in our community.
KidsTLC
KidsTLC provides an unparalleled continuum of care for children and their families facing mental and behavioral health challenges, developmental trauma and autism. Through residential and outpatient services, their collaborative approach blends the expertise of varied specialties to address multiple challenges and diagnoses that hinder a child from thriving in their home community. KidsTLC strives to set each child on the best path forward to a safe, healthy future.
Midwest Animal ResQ
Midwest Animal ResQ (MARQ) was founded in 2009 as a small foster-based rescue group focused on saving dogs from inhumane conditions at local large scale breeding facilities. With the help of dedicated supporters and volunteers, MARQ has grown into a multifaceted group in a short period of time. While we are still very passionate about retired breeding dogs, our scope has increased along with our capacity to serve the animals of the greater Kansas City area. Our adoption center in Raytown, MO opened in 2015, and our sanctuary property on 6 acres provides safe housing for animals needing special medical or behavioral help prior to going to their forever homes. MARQ’s fantastic network of fosters open their hearts and homes to animals in need until a forever home can be found.
Operation Breakthough
The mission of Operation Breakthrough is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment.
Operation Breakthrough also strives to support and empower the children’s families through advocacy, referral services and emergency aid.
Rockhurst High School
A scholarship in Brian’s name is being funded for deserving young men. Brian became “A Man for Others” with his Jesuit education. The Rockhurst experience meant the world to him as he developed life long friendships with both students and teachers. Giving another young man this opportunity would have meant the world to Brian.
Saint John Francis Regis Grade School
Educational assistance for children of the school. Mary Ellen, Brian’s mother, retired after 30 years of teaching there. It is her deep devotion to students that made Brian proud of her accomplishments.
Saint Thomas More Grade School
Educational assistance for deserving students. Additionally, STM for All is a school ministry devoted to the support of their students with special needs including a broad range of educational, mental and physical challenges.
TeamSmile
Our mission is to create connections between children’s service groups, dental professionals, professional sports organizations and their athletes. Together, we can provide underserved children in need, a life changing dental experience in which the excitement and allure of high profile sports reinforce the value of a life-long commitment to dental health care.
