Children’s Miracle Network would like to acknowledge the following organizations and corporations for their ongoing financial and in-kind support:

• Wal-Mart
• RE/MAX
• Marriott
• Dairy Queen
• Costco
• Ace Hardware Corporation
• McLane Company, Inc.
• IHOP
• Phi Mu Fraternity
• HMS Host
• Great Clips
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
• Outback Steakhouse

Cards for Kids Texas Hold'em Tournament

On June 11th, the Greater Kansas City Area Credit Unions for Kids hosted their 1st Annual Cards for Kids Texas Hold’em Tournament, at the St. Andrews Golf Club in Overland Park, Kansas. Entry in the tournament included appetizers, drink tickets, raffle prizes, and of course the chance to win cash! Seats filled quickly, as even those new to the game were welcome and could partake in a Poker 101 Class before the tournament began. 

Participants ranged from very experienced to first-timers, but all indicated they had a good time.

CMN of Kansas City would like to thank all of the credit union staff, members, and vendors who made this event possible, and for their continued support of our mission to help local kids!

Thank you COSTCO!

Our local Costco warehouses do much more than just have great deals …they also care about their community. Costco celebrates charitable giving, to our local children's hospitals, through selling Children's Miracle Network's miracle balloons each May 1-31.

The 2010 miracle balloon campaign boasted record breaking fundraising totals for Costco in Greater Kansas City. This year, the four area warehouses increased the monies raised, for a combined total of more than $52,000 to help kids in our community! Thank you for your inspiring dedication and commitment to our mission of helping local children!

During the campaign, Costco collected cash donations and used the miracle balloons that had been sold to create wall art in the warehouses.

McLane Foodservice, Inc. 8th Annual CMN Charity Golf Tournament

On June 29^th, McLane Foodservice held their 8th annual CMN Charity Golf Tournament at the stunning Deuce at the National Golf Club located in Parkville, Missouri. It was a picturesque day, as employees, vendors, and friends came together to play a round of 18 holes in support of Children's Miracle Network. Before the noon shotgun start, the players were inspired by a speech given by 15 year old Bill Ullery, who shared his miraculous life story about the liver transplants he received as an infant and his continuing care at Children's Mercy hospital.

A sponsor of Children's Miracle Network since 1987, McLane is a highly successful supply chain services company, providing grocery and foodservice solutions for merchants, stores, and restaurants throughout the United States. We greatly appreciate their ongoing support!

Change Crusaders Rally the Community to help Kids in Greater Kansas City

Our annual Change Crusaders program was extended through the month of March for the first time this year. Giving our “Early Bird” Crusaders, who signed up in January, a second month to plan fun events and increase their fundraising goals; and allowing more people to have the opportunity to find out about the program on Mix 93.3 when DJ’s Rocket, Teresa and Ponch encouraged listeners to sign up by calling the Crusader Hotline the morning of Feb 24th. There are now a record breaking number of Crusaders in the Kansas City area who are rallying their friends and family to work together to make our community and children’s future stronger!

At the end of March, all participating Crusaders will be invited to an exclusive Crusader Celebration to turn in the donations they’ve collected, and applaud their success in helping local kids. There, they will have the chance to meet their favorite Mix 93 DJ’s, be entered into numerous prize raffles, and enjoy an acoustic concert given by popular singing artist Rob Thomas!

A special thank you to Mix 93.3 and our prize contributors, including: local Marriott locations, Texas Roadhouse of Liberty, Howl at the Moon, KC Hopps Restaurants, Residence Inn, PF Changs China Bistro, QuikTrip, Panera Bread, Kansas City Royals, Stix, Outback Steakhouse, Famous Daves, and Dickenson Theatres.

KU Students Gear Up for 2nd Annual DanceMarathon

Students at the University of Kansas are preparing for a big day or should we say night! On April 10, 2010 they will hold their 2nd annual KU Dance Marathon (KUDM). This 12 hour event is designed to unite students, faculty/staff and residents of Lawrence and the surrounding area to help give financial and emotional support for the children in KU Medical Center Pediatrics and Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics. With an executive board and various sub-committees totaling about 85 students the group has been fund-raising throughout the year. On April 10th they’ll be joined by numerous supporters who vow to stay on their feet for 12 consecutive hours (from 3:30 PM-3:30 AM) in honor of those children who can’t. But it’s not just dancing-there are a wide variety of games and activities designed to keep the participants hyped; and of course plenty of food. One highlight of the event is hearing from dozens of CMN families who share their stories of challenges and triumphs. Last year, with approximately 100 participants, KUDM donated $20,000 to Children's Miracle Network. This year their goal is to raise $50,000 and include 350 participants. If you are interested in supporting KUDM or if you’d like to participate, please visit www.kudm.org for more information.

Local IHOPS flip for CMN Kids

On February 23rd IHOP restaurants across the country celebrated National Pancake Day with their 5th annual pancake giveaway. The restaurants gave away free short stacks of their signature buttermilk pancakes in exchange for a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Additionally, CMN “Miracle Balloon” icons were sold for $1 and $5 each and displayed throughout the restaurants the entire month of February. Guests were able to show their support for Children’s Miracle Network by personalizing the balloons.

In the greater Kansas City area all 14 of our IHOPS participated, giving away 100’s of pancakes and raising 1,000’s of dollars for KUMC Pediatrics and Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics. THANK YOU to our restaurants in: Grandview, Belton, Lee’s Summit, Independence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Merriam, Olathe, Shawnee, Lawrence and St Joseph.

We would like to recognize one very special individual who put his heart and soul into the event. Bruce Adams, a 7th grader at Britney Hill Middle School single handedly raised $1,600 in three days at the Independence IHOP where his Mom, Julie is the manager. Bruce gave up his weekend and a snow day to “work” in the restaurant, asking each patron to buy a balloon or make a donation. When this amazing 13 year old was asked what motivated him he replied “I wanted to make a difference for the kids. I’ve been in the hospital twice and I know some kids at my school who get special help at the hospitals.” Bruce is pictured here with Becki Ronen, who was recently crowned Miss Kansas in the Miss America Pageant system. For more photos from across the area go to our Facebook page.

I’ve got $50…do I hear $55? $50 going once…going twice…SOLD!

The Kansas City Chapter of Credit Unions recently hosted their 12th annual Children’s Miracle Network Benefit Auction at the Blue Springs Elks Lodge on February 9th. It was a night full of fun as credit union employees and vendors from several Missouri credit unions joined together to partake in the competitive bidding. Tables lined the room, filled with a variety of donated items for the silent auction. An energetic live auction followed dinner, as guests tried to outbid each other on items such as a Nintendo Wii, and tickets to a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. The evening was a huge success, raising $7835 at the auction. And, that amount was doubled by the CO-OP Financial Services Miracle Match program, for a total of $15, 670 to support our local children’s hospitals!

A special thank you to: Michael Augustine, Chris McCreary, Kyle Hudson & staff of United Consumers CU; Lisa Autry & staff of Mazuma CU; Annie Karr of Kansas City CU; Tom Loftus of Missouri Central CU; Linda Orton of Community America CU; Steve Knudson of City CU; and Ron Miller of Edison CU, who were instrumental in planning the event.

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America

Thank you to the students from the FCCLA chapter of the Miami R-1 school district for their tremendous efforts in raising $300 for the Children's Miracle Network.

The young ladies pictured went above and beyond their fellow chapter members by getting their local Sonic to allow them to "car hop" for tips, which they donated to CMN. The girls are pictured as follows: Left: Jenna Slattery, CMN Director- Ile Haggins, Sam Cardenas, Emily Nieder, Felnena Jenkins FACS Teacher, Mary Limpus Miami Board Member.

These young ladies have vowed they're not done yet! They plan to continue their fund-raising efforts on our behalf.

Blockbuster Store Managers delivering gifts to Children’s Miracle Networks

To bring joy to the children who are in the hospital around the holidays, Blockbuster Store Managers, Kathy Booe (left), and Peggy Clampitt (center), joined Blockbuster District Manager Rod Wasson in delivering gifts to Children’s Miracle Network at the end of December for kids being treated at KU Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital and Clinics. Blockbuster is a national sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network, and hosts a national fundraising campaign each year.

Thank You CMN Sponsors!