Meet the Kids: Lily

Lily

Lily is surrounded by a loving family and amazing health professionals. She is a smiling little sweetheart that would love to interact more given the right tools.  A GoTo seat would give her the stability to sit upright and focus. A playpak would give her the opportunity to practice various positions in an effort to play and work more independently. And finally, her therapists have recommended an Upsee to allow Lily to experience walking upright….and that means playing soccer, tag, baseball and being outside with her brother and twin sister. This great equipment is available, but the cost of raising a child with special needs prevents many families from having access to these tools. Variety KC is changing that!  Help us help all kids to Be Active, Be Social, and Belong! Contact us at varietykc@gmail.com.

 

 

Danny and Sara Duffy are 2017 Heart Award Honorees

Danny and Sara Duffy are 2017 Heart Award Honorees

Many professional athletes generously use their celebrity to help support causes near and dear to their hearts. Charitable organizations value these relationships tremendously and often reach out to local celebrities for help. Needless to say, one person can only give so much…and they get approached with numerous requests each year.

In all her years serving in the non-profit world, Variety KC’s Executive Director, Deb Wiebrecht, had never had a celebrity approach her and offer to help. And as Deb says, “that’s when you know the person is truly leading from their heart.”

And HEART is exactly the reason for this blog. Each year, Variety KC awards their Heart Award to the person(s) going above and beyond to serve children with special needs in our community. Variety KC is proud to announce that 2017’s Heart Award honorees are Danny and Sara Duffy!

danny and sara duffy

 

Danny and Sara Duffy truly lead from the heart. You see, it was Danny that let it be known that he, and his wife Sara, would be available for events supporting Variety KC’s kids.

It started back in July of 2015 when Variety hosted an event for dozens of special needs kids at Kauffman Stadium (home to the World Champion KC Royals!) There were several players in attendance, a party atmosphere, and activities at the stadium’s “Little K.”

That afternoon, Danny spent hours speaking to each and every child, getting down to ground level and truly engaging with them. He has a heart, and soul, that natural cares. It was at the end of the event that Danny gave Deb his personal phone number and asked to be involved again.

danny and sara duffy

Not everyone is comfortable with people who are “different.” As a result, many children with special needs can end up isolated. Danny and Sara are an exception. They soon made an appearance at Variety’s Radiothon, both of them spending time with the children, asking questions and listening – essentially making every child feel important and cared for. There have been other events and even personal gifts from the Duffy’s, but their greatest gift is the respect and friendship that this young couple shares with children that are all too often invisible.

That’s our definition of HEART?   Write and tell us about yours!