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Giveaway | Big Splash Event at Great Wolf Lodge Kansas City

KC metro schools are almost out for summer break!  Start your season off with some great family fun at the Big Splash event at the Great Wolf Lodge benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater KC. You choose the date you want to swim, buy and print your day pass ($10-$20) and show up for a fun day at the waterpark!  All ticket sales come back to BBBS and this is the public's only chance to swim at the park without staying over night at the lodge.

Wanna win a family 4 pack of passes?  We're giving away a family 4 pack of passes to any remaining Big Splash day of your choice -- now through May 23!

Visit our Facebook page for all the details!

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Kids' Book Giveaway at Olathe Half Price Books

{Photo source: Half Price Books}

Join the Half Price Books (HPB) 15th Annual Half Pint Library Book Drive!  HPB's Half Pint Library Book Drive is one of the most important ways they're able to get books into the hands of those who need them, and it's all thanks to the donations from the community.  Drop off your new or gently used children’s books anytime now through March 31 at any Half Price Books location.  For every book donated, HPB will match it.  Donations will benefit local nonprofit organizations in the Kansas City community.

 

Their goal is to distribute books to as many different nonprofit community organizations as possible and to be safe and fair at all times.  Groups interested in receiving book donations, are invited to download the Donation Pick-Up Form to learn more about how the Half Pint Giveaways will work. All nonprofit organizations, schools, hospitals, and individuals with 501(c)(3) status may attend any Half Pint Library giveaway event and receive books.  Supplies may be limited. Events are first-come, first-served.  Potential recipients are encouraged to arrive early as the books will be going fast!

The Kansas/Missouri book giveaway event will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Half Price Books located at 15309 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS 66062.

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Muscles for Myotonic 5k Family Fun Walk

Muscles for Myotonic 5K Family Fun Walk will be held Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Heritage Park – Shelter #1 in Olathe, KS (just outside Overland Park, KS.) This inaugural event, planned by the Bormann family of Overland Park, KS, will honor their daughter Anna, and will raise awareness and funds for the myotonic dystrophy research programs at the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF).

The event will begin with pre-walk festivities and check-in at 8:00 AM with the walk beginning at 9:00 AM. 100% of the $25 per person registration fee will be given to MDF, a registered non-profit charity. Children under 5 are free.

The Bormanns learned of myotonic dystrophy in their family when their daughter, Anna was born with the congenital form of DM four years ago. Anna passed away at six weeks old, but her memory lives on with the entire Bormann family, Kelly’s husband Steve, a Cardiologist, son Reed (Anna’s twin brother) and daughter Adalyn. Myotonic dystrophy is a battle that both Kelly and her father, along with many others face every day. The reason for this walk is to raise awareness for this disorder, aide in the research for treatments, and eventually find a cure. Most of all, the walk is in honor of the memory of their little angel, Anna.

For more information or to register to participate, visit:  http://www.myotonic.org/muscles-myotonic

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WANTED: Submissions for KC Variety Show Star Search 2013

On Saturday, March 2nd, 2013, Kansas Citians will have their chance for “fifteen minutes of fame” on stage at the Midland Theatre, all in support of Variety, The Children’s Charity of Greater Kansas City. The second annual Variety Show will bring back the popular variety show format made famous on television in the 1950s and 1960s. Last year’s inaugural Variety Show was a major success and helped raise more than $130,000 for mentally and physically challenged children.

Variety Show will showcase some of our town’s most recognizable philanthropists and celebrities as they share the stage with local professional entertainers…all working together to improve the lives and mobility of physically and mentally challenged children. Every day Variety makes these children feel like stars in their own lives by purchasing equipment such as wheelchairs, adaptive bicycles, van lifts, ramps, and more.

And, to help make this year's Variety show even better, a Star Search is in order!  There's an open call seeking talented and fun acts that want to win big!  Groups or individuals with a special or unique talent are all encouraged to submit their acts to be discovered.

The 1st place winner will perform on the Midland Stage in the Variety Show 2013, win a free promotional photography session from Haley Photography, a complimentary class with Etiquette Kansas City and a free session at a local recording studio.

So, are you in?  Submit your video (3 minute max) of a group or individual highlighting your act by January 7th.  The top 40 qualifiers will have video posted on our site for voting from January 15th through January 31st.

The top 10 acts that receive the most votes (1 vote per dollar donated) and donations will perform live at the Variety Show Star Search Kickoff party and be judged by Kansas City Celebrity Judges on Sunday, February 10th  4-6pm at the Alamo Draft House, downtown Kansas CIty in the Power & Light District.

Simply click here to submit your video now!  We can't wait to see what you come up with!  And, if you do end up submitting a video, let us know by posting on our Facebook page so we can encourage others to vote for you!

25th Annual Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri Holiday Mart

ADVERTORIAL

It’s that time! Mark your calendars for Kansas City’s favorite shopping tradition, the 25th Annual Holiday Mart 2012! Grab your girlfriends and head to Bartle Hall October 18-21 for an exciting weekend of events, entertainment and great shopping for a great cause. Tickets available at holidaymartkc.org and Hen House Markets.

Shopping and Special Event Details for Holiday Mart 2012:
Thursday, October 18

• 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Preferential Shopping*
  • Exclusive shopping and breakfast; Ticket includes Multi-Day ticket for admission during General Shopping hours.
• 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. General Admission

Friday, October 19

• 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. General Admission
• 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Ladies’ Night Out*
  • Shopping night with the girls; Ticket includes Multi-Day ticket, 2 Drink Tickets, VIP cocktail buffet, swag bag and 1 Ladies’ Night Out Enter-to-Win Ticket.

Saturday, October 20

• 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. General Admission
• 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 25th Anniversary Silver Soiree*
  • Exclusive access to Holiday Mart’s 25th Anniversary celebration; Ticket includes chance to win a diamond necklace, plus enjoy champagne, appetizers and special edition Smallcakes cupcakes.

Sunday, October 21

• 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. General Admission

*Requires Special Ticket 

Free Furniture Straps to Be Distributed to Kansas City Families

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

Five years ago, on the day after Halloween, Charlie Horn, a 2-year-old Kansas City boy died in his home. He was sweet. He was quiet. He was loved. And his death could have been prevented by a simple piece of plastic.

On Saturday, October 6 from noon to 3 pm, Crowley Furniture will be distributing FREE furniture straps - the same straps that could have saved Charlie Horn’s life. Safety advisors from Charlie’s House, the local nonprofit dedicated to preventing injury and death to children through accidents in the home, will also be on site to demonstrate strap installation, distribute safety information and answer questions.

“Furniture straps are one of the key tools families can use to help keep their children safe,” Jenny Horn, Charlie’s mother and board member of Charlie’s House, said.“We all understand the importance of car seats, but not everyone understands how important it is to secure furniture in order to keep children safe in their own homes. We can’t thank the Crowley family enough for sponsoring this event and helping us spread the word.”

Locations include: Liberty, 200 N. 291 Highway; Lee’s Summit, 261 Greenwich; and Overland Park, 6327 West 119th St.

On November 1, 2007, Charlie Horn, a 2-year-old Kansas City boy, was killed when he attempted to climb a 30’ dresser in his own home. Charlie’s House was established a short time later with the goal of preventing injuries to children in and around the home. For more information on Charlie's House and to learn about other educational events, visit their website www.charlieshouse.org and follow them on Facebook.

Kansas City Organization to Receive 250,000 Diapers for Babies in Need

{image courtesy of Happy Bottoms}

To support the launch of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN), a non-profit organization with a mission to raise diaper need awareness, Huggies Every Little Bottom is donating 12 million diapers this holiday season to moms and babies nationwide. Huggies and the NDBN will be traveling to 12 cities in 12 days, delivering a total of 12 million diapers along the way. And, great news! Kansas City has been selected as one of the 12 cities and will receive 250,000 diapers to help local families in need!

This event will take place Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM at HappyBottoms c/o Hope Faith Ministries, which is located at 705 Virginia, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Hundreds of low-income families in the Kansas City metro area are forced to make the choice between paying utility bills or buying diapers for their kids.

HappyBottoms will be using warehouse space provided by Hope Faith Ministries to store the diaper donation. HappyBottoms will provide diapers to Hope Faith Ministries as a partner agency and will be able to reach children who are homeless in our community.

If you are interested in participating in or hosting a community diaper drive, please click here to get more information.

Book Sale With A Purpose!

If you're anything like me, one of the things that we LOVE to take part in during the summer is SUMMER READING!  How about getting a jumpstart on your book collection?

One of our community partners, GiveWhatYouGot.org is hosting a great book sale this weekend in Overland Park!  There will be over 10,000 new books and over 6,000 used books priced at just $1 to $3! Proceeds benefit GWYG, which is a local philanthropic organization that helps local kids in foster care receive care packages for birthdays and holidays.  In addition, necessities like clothing, household items and toiletries are also provided to them.

Please plan to swing on by for some fabulous deals on books for a fabulous local organization.  You'll get good karma for doing good while of course, getting good stuff in return!  The book sale will take place at 9620 Nall in Overland Park, KS.  Hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Happy {summer} reading!

Benefit Concert of Autism Speaks

Hey Kansas City moms, dads, kids and families - I hope all of you will join me and my very dear friend, Jim Cosgrove for a fantastic event in KC on Friday August 14th which will benefit Autism Speaks.

Many of you already know but Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

This fabulous local Kansas City event will feature a jam-packed concert performance by our very own Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove, face painting, silent auction, and lots of family fun!  Here are the details of the event:

Date:  Friday, August 14, 2009
Time:  5:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Shawnee Civic Center, 13817 Johnson Dr. in Shawnee, KS

Schedule of Events:

5:30-6:30 Food, Face Painting, Silent Auction
6:30 - 7:30 - Jim Cosgrove Concert
7:30 - 8:00 Silent Auction Announcements

GiveWhatYouGot.org Halloween Bash

Are you looking for a feel-good Halloween event for the whole family?  Look no further!  GiveWhatYouGot.org, our newest community partner, has just announced their upcoming Halloween Party event sure to be a hit with you, your kids, and the Kansas City community at large.  Here's the scoop:

GIveWhatYouGot.org 1st Annual Halloween Party
Saturday October 25, 2008
6 p.m. -9 p.m. @ ARTichokes, 105th & Mission in Leawood, KS

Join in on the fun at the first annual GiveWhatYouGot.org Halloween Party!  It will be a night filled with costumes, Halloween crafts, and fun food for your kids all while being watched by a great staff of high school volunteers.  For the adults there will be Jack Stack BBQ, Blvd Beer, Jowler Creek Wine and a little free time to chat with your friends (can you imagine?!).  The event is being held at ARTichokes @ 105th/Mission.  

Donation prices for this event are $10 for adults and $5 for children over 2 (kids under 2 are free).  
For more information or to reserve your spot click here.