TLC for Children
and Families, Inc.
913-764-2887
info@kidstlc.org

Monthly E-Newsletter

November 15, 2006

Going over the top

Dear friend,

I suspect you are growing as weary as many people are of the political season. It is a time when candidate's accomplishments are bragged about, promises are made, and unfortunately human flaws are exposed.

Most of us expect our elected officials to work on the behalf of those they serve and make progress toward increasing the quality of life in our communities.

As you can see in the pictures below, TLC is keeping its promise to both those who have partnered with us and to those we serve. Progress in expanding our campus to increase our services to the underserved in our County commenced on October 23, 2006.

We are also working very hard to finish out our $9.6 million capital campaign and securing our Kresge Challenge grant. We have raised nearly $8.9 and need $665,000 to receive our Kresge Challenge grant, which will complete our campaign.

As part of our effort to raise the remaining $665,000 we have Kansas Tax Credits available. Please click here to learn more about this excellent method to maximize your gift and greatly reduce the tax liability on your state and federal returns.

Please help us with our end of year push to go over the top and increase our efforts to serve the children, youth, and families in our community. Thank you and may you have a blessed Thanksgiving season!

Warmest Personal Regards,

Bob Drummond, Ed.D

President and CEO

CHANGING LIVES...

TLC helps Celebrate National Family Week November 19-25...

The National Family Week premise is: Children live better lives when their families are strong, and families are strong when they live in communities that connect them to economic opportunities, social networks, and services.

During National Family Week, TLC would like to acknowledge the wonderful resource families that work so closely with birth families to reunify their families. Our resource families are just that, a resource to birth families. They become role models, coaches, and teachers as they work with the birth family to learn new ways to discipline, advocate for their child, and most importantly keep their children safe. Please take this week to celebrate with your family and reach out to help another family in your community.

Here are some suggestions on how to celebrate the value of family relationships and support the strengthening of community:

Get involved

• Plan an activity or meal with neighbors, family, or friends.
• Visit the Y M C A for free family fitness classes
• Game night
• Movie night
• Visit the library
• Bike ride or walk

Be a volunteer

• Help with projects that benefit your community.
• Serve meals at local soup kitchen
• Be a “reader” at your child's school
• Contact non-profit organizations for volunteer opportunities

Help others

• Assist individuals and families in need.
• Donate canned goods and other non-perishable items to food pantry
• Donate new or gently used clothing to second hand store
• Donate gently used furniture in good condition to a second hand store

Community improvement

• Work with local authorities that strive to improve your community
• Work with your local adopt-a-highway program
• Get involved with the Parent Teacher Organization at your local school
• Attend public meetings and workshops to discuss neighborhood strengths and challenges within a designated project area

Visit http://www.nationalfamilyweek.org/

A TLC Resource Family Sucess Story

TLC has many wonderful success stories about families working together. A new family to TLC took placement of a brother and sister. Our resource parent reached out to develop a relationship with the birth mother of the two children. She asked the birth mother for favorite recipes for the kids, she kept birth mom updated with school progress reports, and pictures. As this relationship continued to develop the resource parents invited mom to various school events and family events. When over night visits started, resource mom would send various “care packages” with the kids, such as a family fun night basket filled with games. The resource parent help the children's birth mom enroll the kids in school, advocate for special educational services, and develop new house hold rules. With the help of this resource parent, the children returned to their mom's care and things are going well. The resource family is still connected to these kids and continues to have a relationship with mom since the kids have returned home.

Shaping the Future through Estate Planning...

TLC Legacy Society…making a difference for the next generation

The TLC Legacy Society recognizes the generosity and foresight of individuals who have provided a bequest or other planned gift to TLC. Members include those who remember TLC in their estate plans or who make other deferred gift arrangements including:

• Bequests in wills or trusts

• Life insurance policy donations

• Beneficiary designation of financial accounts, retirement plans, or life insurance policies

• Life income gifts through gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts

• Remainder interest in a personal residence or farm

TLC Legacy Society members continue a longtime tradition of serving the most vulnerable in our society…our children. May we welcome you as a new member?

Click here or contact Tim Keeton at (913) 764-2887 for additional information about the TLC Legacy Society.

SHINING STARS... 

Recognizing Special Volunteers                          

TLC's United for Kids Gala celebrates its 10th Anniversary...

TLC's tenth annual United for Kids Gala was a huge success thanks to the efforts of SO MANY! Linda Rumsey, gala coordinator is so grateful for her fabulous volunteer committee, TLC staff who helped make the event run smoothly, as well as MANY TLC supporters who donated their time and money to the event. The event raised approximately $257,000 to support TLC and the children and families we serve!

The event was appropriately themed “Let Us Entertain You.” 550 guests were certainly entertained in the beautiful Sheraton Hotel in Overland Park. They enjoyed silent and live auctions and purchased chances to win a diamond donated by Hannoush Jewelers & a brand new Suzuki Forenza donated by Jeremy Franklin Suzuki!

Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs star left-footed punter and new TLC spokesperson, was on hand to encourage the crowd to give to the “Fund a Need” auction. He asked guests to donate anywhere from $10,000-$100 to provide shelter and services to TLC youth. The efforts ended up raising approximately $64,000 in only 20 minutes!

Bob Drummond (President and CEO of TLC) with Christia and Dustin Colquitt

Other entertainment included a video produced by Anne Peterson and Time Warner Cable. It highlighted what we do here at TLC with amazing stories from our past!  The evening was ended with the musical comedy of Brinnon and Marks who kept the crowd laughing for the rest of the night.

This year's Gala was truly a tribute to TLC's past, present and future!

 Debbie Hedenkamp (Gala Co-Chair), Linda Rumsey (Gala Coordinator)

and Michele Gressel (Gala Co-Chair)

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Copyright 2004 TLC for Children and Families, Inc., 480 S Rogers Rd. Olathe, KS 66062-1706. All rights reserved.