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Kelsey’s Dream is a local non-profit organization that was developed to continue the legacy of one little girl named Kelsey Kuhns. While Kelsey’s life ended at the early age of twelve from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), she, in that short time, inspired so many from her deep desire to see other children be blessed as she was. Kelsey had a great support system that involved her family, friends, classmates, school, community and church. It is with that mindset of bringing individuals, communities and businesses together in order to make life a little brighter for children with cancer that Kelsey’s Dream is structured. It is helping children in need so that they feel the support and love that Kelsey so much appreciated. Kelsey’s mother, Tina; her father, Lynn; and her sister, Kylie; are involved daily and are focused on honoring her memory and her dream. Kylie at the early age of six was the donor for her sister’s stem cell transplant and continues to give of herself by helping children in need. “Who can help?” “How can I help?” “What can I do?” The answer is, “The sky is the limit!” Kelsey’s Dream has taken hold of the hearts of many and is growing quickly. There are many opportunities to be involved and better yet, they are all taking place right here in our area! On January 7, 2008, one hundred Teddies to Go kits were purchased and delivered to Geisinger. Each child that is admitted as a cancer patient receives one of these. These kits can be put together during their stay and include a choice of a bear, bunny, kitty, puppy or panda. Kylie remembered how much her sister Kelsey enjoyed making these at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. It helped pass the time by doing something that was fun. Kylie thought it would be great to distribute these locally at Geisinger Medical Center. Another terrific program is the Snack Pack Program. Pediatric cancer patients usually spend a full day visiting Foss 3 at Geisinger for appointments, chemotherapy and lab work. Kelsey’s Dream purchased a wide variety of snacks and juice boxes to offer them during their time there. They loved it! It was such a huge success, that Kelsey’s Dream provides snacks for the Inpatient pediatric cancer patients as well. Every year Kelsey and Kylie sponsored up to six children from the Angel Tree program of the Salvation Army. This program gave them the opportunity to help children in need by providing them a Christmas morning filled with toys and clothing. This past Christmas Kelsey’s Dream sponsored nine children who live in our local communities. These children received a bicycle or scooter, walkmans, games and many other toys. Kelsey’s Dream is happy to continue this tradition which would not be possible without continued support. Last October, Kelsey’s Dream held a community event called Kelsey’s Fall Festival in Mifflinburg in honor of Kelsey’s birthday. This event helped raise additional funds while the community enjoyed a day filled with activities. What started as an apple butter boil with a couple of kettles, grew quickly as volunteers pitched in expanding it to a festival. Activities included sumo wrestling, a climbing wall, horse drawn wagon rides, hayrides and lots of craft activities. Entertainment was close at hand, with songs from Woody Wolfe Jr. of Heart to Hand Ministry, who was a favorite of Kelsey’s when she was hospitalized. Also performing at the festival was Covert Action a local family band playing music from the 50’s to present. Topping it all off included a large variety of foods. There was chicken corn, ham and bean, and beef vegetable soup. There were homemade french fries, apple dumplings, homemade pies, and so much more. This event involved a community pulling together and supporting Kelsey’s Dream. This year, Kelsey’s Fall Festival will be held on October 11, at the Mifflinburg VFW grounds. Communities, businesses, churches, organizations and families will be invited to sponsor a kettle, an activity, an event or a booth. It will be a team building experience that will exhibit the ability we all have to fulfill the mission statement of Kelsey’s Dream, “to make life a little brighter for children with cancer and children in need, through community involvement.” Another way Kelsey was blessed was through Camp Dost, a program initiated by the Danville Ronald McDonald House. Over 100 children with cancer who are patients of Geisinger Health Systems, along with their siblings are offered a one week camp where they have opportunities to do what other children their age do and take their mind off their sickness and replace it with fun. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating, archery, biking, arts & crafts, dancing & singing, developing nature skills and other nightly entertainment. Kelsey and Kylie looked forward to going each year. A large amount of the donations received by Kelsey’s Dream goes towards programs for Camp Dost. Kelsey’s Dream sponsors the opening night carnival at Camp Dost. Additionally, Kylie is presently designing a T-shirt that will be distributed to each child at camp, this year. Kelsey’s Dream just launched their Blanket Program fundraiser, selling raffle tickets where the grand prize is a handmade quilt made by Michaela Murphy, a friend of Kelsey’s. Michaela made a quilt for Kelsey and one for Kylie when they went through the stem cell transplant. She made one for their parents after Kelsey passed away. Her simple motivation was to “wrap them in love.” And that love continues to others. The quilt is titled “Cabin in the Woods.” Funds raised by this fundraiser will help fund the Blanket Program and other programs. Fleece knot blankets are made by children and adults alike and will be distributed to each of the campers to also “wrap them in love.” The winning name will be picked in a drawing at the 2008 Kelsey’s Fall Festival. There are so many ways one can be apart of this Dream Team. It is an all volunteer organization. From helping at Kelsey’s Fall Festival, to making fleece knot blankets, to working in a food stand, to baking pies, to running fundraiser events, to selling tickets, to administrative help and more. You can work on developing corporate sponsorship. You can be a corporate sponsor. You can run marketing and communications. You can be a photographer of events. You can collect pull tabs from soda cans, or donate jars or even loan a kettle for the apple butter boil. You can sponsor a kettle, an activity or an event. You can visit Country Crafts in Mifflinburg where there is a vast assortment of items being sold to raise funds for Kelsey’s Dream. You can even help financially. Help is needed from children too. Kelsey and Kylie’s friends got involved right away and they welcome new faces. Junior Helpers (grades 5-7) and Junior Volunteers (grades 8-11) team up together as “kids helping kids” and are a vital part of the Dream Team. There is wealth of opportunity to give hands-on and financial support where you can see it make a difference in the lives of these children. These programs offer joy and fun to these kids. They offer a healthy diversion to keep their minds off of their sickness. They offer them something to look forward to, a blessing from you and me through Kelsey’s Dream. It doesn’t matter if you are a kid, parent, community leader or business, whatever you put into Kelsey’s Dream, will always come back to you. Do it for the kids. Do it to make a difference. The sky is the limit. Please check out kelseysdream.org for more information about Kelsey, Kelsey’s Dream or how you can help. Feel free to contact Kelsey’s Dream by email at tlkuhns@dejazzd.com or by phone at 966-4605 for specific information on any sponsorship or program mentioned. © Copyright 2008 by Mifflinburg Telegraph Weekly Newspaper Top of Page |
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