The First Annual BJ DeMage Halloween Shop
On September 21st, Amy attended our Halloween Shop event alongside her three children and BJ’s mother. Together, we witnessed BJ’s dream become a reality as children browsed through costumes and found the one that made them smile the brightest. For children in foster care, moments of normalcy—like picking out a Halloween costume—are essential. They allow children to feel like every other kid, to embrace the excitement and fun of childhood, and to experience traditions that give life a bit more color. BJ’s legacy was woven into every part of the event. His vision and spirit were felt in each child’s joy, and Amy’s commitment made it all possible. The dream was born that this Halloween Shop would become an annual tradition, allowing BJ’s legacy to impact more children each year. Continuing BJ’s Legacy Amy has already begun preparing for next year, sharing BJ’s story on social media to gather Halloween costumes for the 2025 BJ DeMage Halloween Shop. We are beyond honored to carry this legacy forward. BJ’s dream aligns beautifully with KCMO Angels’ mission of providing children in foster care with moments of normalcy, love, and belonging. Thank you, Amy, for your generosity, for sharing BJ’s legacy with us, and for helping to bring a bit of Halloween magic to children in foster care. Together, we’re creating a ripple effect of joy and connection, and we look forward to making the BJ DeMage Halloween Shop a beloved annual event.
0 Comments
 "It's moments like these that remind us of the importance of two of our program goals - relational permanency and normalcy."
We wanted to take a moment to share a heartwarming story that truly embodies the impact of your generosity and support. Just recently, one of our case managers checked in with a Love Box leader for an update on January activities, and we were touched by the consistent support he is giving this family and young boy in care. He shared that he attended not one, but two basketball games to cheer on this sweet boy experiencing foster care. Being in the stands month after month at all of his activities has had a huge positive impact on this young boy. It's moments like these that remind us of the importance of two of our program goals - relational permanency and normalcy.
Your support is instrumental in helping us achieve these program goals and making a difference in the lives of foster children and families. Together, we're building a community of support and compassion that empowers children and families in the foster care system to thrive. We have a final story to share with you from 2023 that we couldn’t leave behind. The ending quote from this Love Box Leader left us feeling grateful for all of you, and hopeful for all the continued impact we will have in the coming year. One of our Love Box Leaders, Angie, and the foster family relished in "regular" activities in December, starting with enjoying lunch together at a Mexican restaurant during the week —a cherished tradition for the foster family, despite the challenge of accommodating 11 kiddos. These moments of normalcy provided space for meaningful conversations, connection, and sharing in the children's infectious excitement for Christmas. Later in the month, Angie and her husband delivered holiday treats, including Gingerbread Man kits, which the family joyfully embraced during a special evening of bonding. The Love Box Leaders had big plans to experience Enchant KC with their foster family before the Holiday season came to an end. Once their older kids got home from college, they all decided to join in together as a big group! All 17 people absolutely loved the festive atmosphere, the dazzling Christmas light display and each and every one of them were filled with joy! Amidst the laughter and play, a seemingly small moment left a lasting impact on one of these Love Box Leaders! A sweet girl in the family - who is slow to trust - reached toward Angie asking if she would skate with her. A moment that affirmed Angie that all the moments up to this point laid a foundation of trust.  Their last meetup of the month was a visit to the foster family's home and was marked by a heartwarming gesture. Angie’s husband was able to bring two generously donated holiday food baskets from his company. Additionally, they delighted in shopping for and delivering Christmas gifts for each member of the family. Toward the end of the night, the two moms found themselves able to chat alone. Angie tells us it was a moment of connection and a chance to feel known by another mom. “I was honored she felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable with me to share how she is feeling. We were just two moms connecting on a level only moms can." These cherished moments spent with the Foster Family illuminated the true spirit of the season, reminding the Love Box Leader and her family of the profound impact of love, connection, and generosity. Their experiences with the Foster Family not only enriched their own holiday season but also underscored the transformative power of community and compassion.  We have another inspiring story that shows the profound impact of the Dare to Dream program we have at KCMO Angles. This program offers one-on-one mentorship to youth in care, empowering them to develop skills, pursue passions, and achieve their goals through supportive relationships. Recently, one of our foster youths faced a traumatic incident that led her to withdraw from activities she once cherished. Despite her disengagement, our steadfast mentor remained by her side, offering various options to reignite her joy. Months passed, and a breakthrough occurred when the youth finally agreed to spend a day creating and painting pottery with her mentor. Their time together was nothing short of magical, as they bonded over their shared love for art and painting. Reflecting on their experience, our Dare to Dream mentor expressed, "I am truly looking forward to our next hangout. We plan to have dinner together, hoping to dig a little deeper with each other. I appreciate the invaluable support and wisdom the KCMO Angels case manager has offered me throughout this journey with Penny." This heartwarming story exemplifies the transformative power of consistent support and encouragement in our Dare to Dream program. It showcases the resilience and potential for positive change in the lives of these remarkable youth. Your continued support fuels our ability to create these meaningful connections and foster resilience in our community's youth. Thank you for being a crucial part of our journey towards building brighter futures. 
A note from our executive director. I hope this message finds you well and ready for the holiday season! At our recent team meeting I couldn't help but feel such deep gratitude for all the ways we're helping children & families in our community. So today, I'd love to tell you about a special moment from a recent Love Box leader's visit with a family. It's a beautiful example of the care and dedication our volunteers give each and every family we support. During this monthly meetup our Love Box leader Kathy arrived at her foster family’s home with a wonderful spread - chicken white bean chili, salad, and a delightful pumpkin cake. As the foster parents tended to their growing family, the age old challenge presented itself -who’s going to hold this sweet newborn so the parents can enjoy the meal? Well naturally our Love Box leader jumped in and immediately volunteered. Who doesn’t love holding a cute new baby?! This very simple gesture not only allowed for a fostering family to enjoy a meal together, but a rare moment of calm in a normally very busy weeknight. Kathy shared that it was truly magical. To sit back and watch the children enjoy not only the meal, but the uninterrupted time together at the table. Your unwavering support allows us to create these invaluable connections and provide normalcy to our families. Every gesture, every meal, every “Love Box” strengthens our resolve to foster a supportive environment for these deserving families. When our fostering community feels supported, they can continue the very important work of fostering. Thank you for standing by us and making these moments of compassion and support possible. Your generosity continues to be the cornerstone of hope and empowerment for families within our community. With gratitude, Anne Walton 
Our programs are designed to wrap community around children, youth and families experiencing foster care. However, did you know that when a family adopts a child in their care, we don't remove them from our programs? We continue to support them through this transition! This beautiful match we are sharing about this week is between our amazing Love Box Leader, Jane and this incredible mama who recently adopted this sweet girl in her care. The match is magical. Jane said this last month she met the family at a local waterpark and they all played and had a wonderful time together. Afterwards they ate dinner together and enjoyed great conversation. Jane has shared with us that their match is so special and she can tell this mama trusts her because she has opened up a lot about her life in their time together. "The smiles on my little ones face when we do activities together, her mom's reaction and how the little one gives me warm hugs, fills my soul! Children need adults they can CONNECT with in their lives who offer comfort and trust! So essential In development! Being a Love Box volunteer is such a fulfilling role!" 
 |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
October 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed