Yesterday, we had our first successful fundraiser for the foundation. With the support of our community, we raised over $1,000. Our dream of supporting families of medically fragile children in southwest Kansas is becoming a reality!
The funds we raised will be used to create and distribute care packages for families who are having to transfer from local hospitals to larger facilities like Wesley Children's Hospital and Via Christi in Wichita, KS, or Children's Mercy in Kansas City.
Those of you who knew our family before Lennon passed probably remember the many, many times we were flown to Wichita so that he could receive care in the PICU from his neurologist, geneticist, and the intensivists. No matter how often I prepared my emergency bag, I always forgot something. Most often it was things like extra socks, deoderant, chapstick, and hair ties. Luckily, Wesley was almost always stocked with gift baskets from generous donors. They also had the Ronald McDonald room down the hall that often gave out toiletries like shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Unfortunately, not all hospitals offer these supports, and until you learn the ins and outs of each facility, you're more than overwhelmed just trying to figure out your child's care.
We want to make things easier for families by meeting them at the hospitals before they transfer. We'd like to send them with care packages that include those basic necessities, some comfort items, and ideally gift cards so that they can eat and have gas money to get home. We are hoping to partner with local hospitals so that these care packages are on hand ( or can at least be delivered) in these critical times.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to every person who volunteered, donated, and/or promoted this event. Because of you, we will be able to make a difference!
Raising money wasn't the only great thing about the fundraiser. We also got to share our story and the mission of Lennon's Legacy Foundation. I was so happy to hear people tell us that there is a need for our services. We had several families talk about their experiences with emergency care and chronic hospitalizations.
I also got to visit with one of the founders of another non-profit organization in Dodge City, Perfect Fit. (Check them out here: https://www.perfectfit.foundation/home/) We agreed that there would probably be a lot of overlap with our families, so talks of a partnership beginning. This is a wonderful thing!
We talked about the isolation that families feel, the lack of awareness, the stigmas surrounding our children, and the need for support for children and families. We are very proud that southwest Kansas has been recognizing the need for organizations like ours, and we are excited to see what the future holds!
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