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For many of us
summer brings vacations, fun outdoor activities, family reunions and
other good times. Yet there will be hundreds of teens who will be
far removed from these treasured experiences. “Nicole” is one of
them. She was thrown out of her mom's house and totally abandoned
when she became pregnant at age 14. Homeless, she ended up
moving from couch to couch, constantly trying to find shelter and
food.
Two years later,
Nicole has burned all of her bridges. She is now living in her car
with her 15 month old baby and is pregnant again. Our hope is
to find a way for Nicole to return home or to find a long-term
living arrangement for her. Unfortunately, our search has only led
us to a shortage of options for a young teen with one child and
pregnant with her second. When her mother refused to take her
underage daughter back into her house, we had to report the case to
Social and Rehabilitation Services.
Ironically this
mother of two is awaiting placement as a “Child In Need of Care.”
Youth like Nicole can so easily be forgotten during summer travels
and leisure activities. These are the youth TLC chooses to serve…24
hours a day…7 days a week…throughout the year. What difference are
you going to make for youth like Nicole this summer? Your support is
needed and appreciated!
Thank
you,
Bob Drummond,
Ed.D
President and
CEO
Changing Lives...
Parkers give special gift to TLC….
Each year
Commerce Bank honors a resident whose service has benefited the
community in which they live. This year two very special friends of
TLC were honored at the Community Service Award luncheon on April
27.
Long
time supporters of TLC, Harlan and Vickie Parker, were presented
with the award for their generosity and service to their community.
Commerce Bank also donated $10,000 to a charity designated by the
Parkers. They selected TLC and we could not be more grateful!
Harlan works for
State Farm Insurance and is a member of the Olathe School Board. He
has served as the co-chair of TLC's “For the Children” annual fund
campaign for 5 years. Harlan has helped TLC to raise crucial funds
that support all seven of our programs. When Harlan was informed
that he would be honored with this award, he refused to accept it
without his wife Vickie by his side.
Vickie has been
an integral part of the United for Kids Gala committee for several
years now. She helps to plan and execute this event that has grown
so much over the past few years. Vickie has opened her home up to
TLC, allowing the Gala committee to meet there during the
construction on our campus.
Not only do
Harlan and Vickie support TLC through the committees they have
joined but they also make a point to support and attend many of
TLC's other fundraisers. TLC is so fortunate to have Harlan and
Vickie working with us to give hope to children and families!
Harlan
and Vickie Parker
President and CEO of TLC, Bob Drummond ,
accepting the check from Commerce Bank
Chairman, Jonathan Kemper
Gift
Planning Resources at Your Fingertips...
It's no secret
that the programs of TLC for Children and Families, Inc. depend upon
your goodwill. We've created an easy-to-understand gift planning web
site to help you dream a little, about our future and yours. There
are many easy giving options from which you can choose--strategies
that enhance your personal well being, as well as TLC.
Check out
our Gift Planning web site that features new articles and
interactive features each month. Try our Build Your Gift planner. By answering a few
basic questions, this interactive tool steps you through the process
of narrowing down your choices. It's fun and easy to use!
 If you already
have gift options in mind, click on
Compare
Gifts
to see how your choices match up or click on
Ebrochures to request specific
information on a planning option.
Happy dreaming!
SHINING STARS...
Recognizing Special
Volunteers
When a youth is
admitted to one of TLC's residential shelter homes, often times they
come to us with nothing but the clothes on their back. It is our job
to make TLC a home for them. Luckily, we have the support of a
wonderful group of women who help to make TLC a home for hundreds of
children each year. Since 2003 the Cellar Sew-ers have been sewing
quilts to donate to TLC. They have been able to provide over 40 warm
and cozy quilts for children in foster care and for teens residing
in our shelters. The time and caring that is put into each quilt is
truly amazing and helps to make TLC feel more like home for many
children in need. THANK YOU!
Members
of the Cellar Sew-ers group pose for a picture with one of their
beautiful quilts
Special Event Spotlights...
Hoops for Kids...
SATURDAY
June 9 at
MIDAMERICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY!
Come early, stay
late, drop in anytime. TLC's Fifth Annual Hoops for Kids
event has
something for everyone! Bring your family and friends to support
this community fundraiser for TLC's Street Outreach Services (SOS)
program. Our generous sponsors, led by Olathe Medical Center and
Farmers Insurance, make it possible for us to offer this as a free,
family-friendly event.
9:00 a.m.-1:00
p.m.
3-on-3 Youth Tournament
Free
spectator admission
9:00
a.m.-8:30 p.m. Silent Auction—Sports
memorabilia
and sports items, including
game
jerseys and golf packages
4:30-6:00 p.m.
Mini-Carnival—Inflatable obstacle course,
games,
meet K.U. Mascot
Baby Jay
5:00-6:30
p.m.
“Border Battle”—KS and MO H.S. All-Star
girls
“Border Battle”—KS and MO H.S. All-Star boys
6:30
p.m. FREE Autographs
7:00
p.m. Warm-up; Introductions
7:30 p.m.
Main Event Basketball Exhibition (Visit www.kidstlc.org for a
list of scheduled players)—
Gator Rivers
featured at Half-Time
• Honorary
Coach Rocky Lamar, MidAmerica Nazarene University
• Special
appearance by Dustin Colquitt, Chiefs kicker and TLC
official spokesperson
• Souvenir
T-shirts, prizes and giveaways
Wakarusa Music
Festival Supports TLC...
If you will be at the Wakarusa music
festival in Lawrence, KS on June 7-10 stop by and visit the booth
for TLC! Stacy and Charles Warren will be there along with
many TLC volunteers enjoying the live music all weekend as well as
running a booth that serves refreshments. All the tips they
make as well as a portion of the sales will go directly to
TLC.
Integrity Communications has also
partnered with the festival. There will be collection
containers at the TLC booth where individuals may deposit used cell
phones and empty ink jet cartridges. If you plan on attending
Wakarusa this year, please bring used cell phones to donate and help
us spread the word! | 
