Unlocking Potential helpkids.kennedykrieger.org
your support is the key
A special publication for supporters of Kennedy Krieger Institute • Vol. 10, Issue 1 • Summer 2013
Even In The Cold, Runners Warmed Hearts Inaugural Baltimore Running Festival Charity Team Raises Over $92k As a result of a shared vision between physical therapist Erin Michael and her co-workers at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger, the first year for the Institute’s Charity Team at the 2012 Baltimore Running Festival was a great success and raised more than $92,000. The event began on Friday evening at a carb-loading pasta party with food donated by Sabatino’s Italian Restaurant. Then, early Saturday morning, more than 250 people supported the Kennedy Krieger charity team by running or volunteering at the team tent and water stop. Seven individuals from the International Center for Spinal Karen Sersen, left, and therapist Nia Wallace-Clennon cheer as Jerry Sersen prepares to drop his walking sticks and cross the finish line.
Cord Injury made history as the first group of patients to participate in the running festival. Portions of the funds raised were used to purchase handcycles that will be used by patients in future races, and a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device designed to stimulate major leg muscle groups Marshall Garber shows off his medal with therapist to facilitate walking. Remaining Erin Michael. proceeds have been used to help kick-start the 2013 Baltimore Running Festival team effort, create a new Racing Scholarship Program to support the training needs of patients who show an interest and dedication to racing, and support additional programs at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury and Kennedy Krieger.
Donations Lead to New Playground for Students with Autism Thanks to your support, students in the specialized autism education program at the Institute’s Greenspring campus are now enjoying a custom state-of-the-art playground specifically designed for children with autism. The playground was designed to accommodate the active movement and creative play critical to those with autism, and offers a place for fun, fitness, multi-sensory exploration, and social interaction. The space also includes quiet areas for students who are easily overstimulated, such as a tunnel and a picnic table with an umbrella. The vision for the playground began in 2008, when Michael Delia, educational director at Kennedy Krieger, and Susan Schaffer, manager of occupational therapy services for Kennedy Krieger
School Programs, chaired a committee that worked with Playground Specialists to customdesign the playground. Student Danny Billiat takes a Michele Jacobs, who served as the spin on the new equipment. LEAP Parent Association president at the time, kick-started the fundraising efforts through a Race for Education initiative, and additional funds were donated by individuals—including an impressive $15,000 from LEAP families and staff members—and foundations, including the Pearson Charitable Foundation, the Rite Aid Foundation, The Herbert Continued on page 4
Unlocking Potential: Your Support is the Key
From skate-a-thons to bake-a-thons to cut-a-thons, your events make a huge difference.
We can’t thank you enough! We at Kennedy Krieger are so thankful for the creativity and generosity of our donors! Here, we’ve highlighted some of the many inspiring events hosted by individuals, families, or companies that recently benefited the children of Kennedy Krieger.
The Groel family from Texas raised more than $11,000 to fight Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) by raising much-needed funds for a study on Lorenzo’s Oil! Patio Palooza was held at the Wharfside Restaurant in Pleasant Point, New Jersey. With the dedication of The Mike Dalton Band and Chefs International, the evening was a great success.
As part of her Bat Mitzvah project, 13-year-old Samantha Katz of Columbus, Ohio, held a skate-a-thon and raised $2,500 for the I-Skate program at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Benjamin Barsky (left), Maxwell Bowens (right), and the Johns Hopkins University psychology department student organization “Psych’d” held a fundraiser at Cazbar, a restaurant in Baltimore, and raised $1,000 for Kennedy Krieger.
Mazel tov, Samantha!
We are “psych’d” and incredibly thankful. Thanks to college students Elyse Borisko and Meredith Mill for organizing the second annual Cupcake 5K, held in January. In the past two years, they have raised more than $1,000. What a sweet way to start the New Year!
Employees at Salon DeChene in Hummelstown, PA, wanted to raise awareness of Sturge-Weber syndrome and help Kennedy Krieger fund research for the disease, so they held a “cut-a-thon” in January, raising $1,600. We have nothing but “shear” admiration for them!
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Thanks to the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) of Kennedy Krieger and MileOne Automotive, students are riding in style in a new lift van used for community-based instruction and work-based learning trips. We are grateful for your support!
We went wild when we heard that Carol Hulett and Monique Ray raised $1,900 for Rett syndrome research in honor of threeyear-old Kaylee Ray. They partnered with three different Buffalo Wild Wings restaurants to donate 10 percent of sales to the Institute.
Mariana Rosales of Idle Hands Tattoo Emporium raised $650 by holding a benefit at Arcos Mexican Restaurant in Baltimore that included art work sales, children’s activities, and a silent auction. Gracias!
Rick Hopkins and Matt Long planned an alumni golf challenge in Virginia to benefit the families of Kennedy Krieger and pay tribute to their friend Blair Barton. More than 70 people attended the outing, and Rick used the Institute’s online fundraising pages to raise $6,400.
The Home Depot hosted an interactive workshop for teens with Down syndrome at Kennedy Krieger. With the help of The Home Depot’s mascot, Homer, the happy participants made crafts and long-lasting memories.
HAVE A GREAT EVENT IDEA? WE CAN HELP MAKE IT A REALITY. No fundraiser is too small—every dollar counts! Contact Kennedy Krieger’s Office of Development at events@kennedykrieger.org or visit events.kennedykrieger.org.
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Unlocking Potential: Your Support is the Key
Buy the New Chicken Soup for the Soul Autism Book and Support Kennedy Krieger Show your support for the Institute by purchasing a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum: 101 Inspirational Stories for Parents of Children with Autism and Asperger's, with an introduction by our own Dr. Rebecca Landa. A portion of the proceeds will support autism research at the Institute. To order your special limited edition copy signed by Dr. Landa, visit autism.kennedykrieger.org/ChickenSoup.
Donations Lead to New Playground for Students with Autism Continued from cover
Bearman Foundation, the P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Thomas Wilson Sanitarium for Children of Baltimore City, and two anonymous foundations. Funds were also raised through Institute events, including the Art of Giving fashion show and a LEAP fundraiser in which students’ art pieces were sold. All of these efforts were commemorated last fall at the playground’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thank you to everyone who helped make this playground a reality for the students to enjoy for years to come!
Sign up now for Kennedy Krieger Institute’s
Baltimore Running Festival Charity Team! Saturday, October 12, 2013 • M&T Bank Stadium Join the Kennedy Krieger Institute Charity Team! There are options for all ages and abilities, including a kids fun run, 5k, team relay, half marathon, or full marathon. Registration is open to everyone! As a member of Team Kennedy Krieger, you can register for FREE by committing to raise funds for the Institute and the spinal cord injury program. You will also receive additional perks and surprises, such as an Under Armour team shirt, pasta party, breakfast, and access to the team hospitality tent! New this year: Become a Kennedy Krieger Virtual Racer! Can’t make it to the race, but still want to support Kennedy Krieger? Choose the “Virtual Racer” option during registration, and enjoy the perks of being on our team without having to race. By registering to be a “Virtual Racer” you are agreeing to raise $100 for Kennedy Krieger Institute. See our website for more information.
For more information or to register, visit kennedykrieger.org/BaltimoreMarathon. 4