Our Mission

The Love Fund for Children bridges the gap in youth services by partnering with advocates to fulfill unique, unmet needs of children across Kansas City.

 
in-the-playground-P2AZNG5.jpg
 
 

43

Years of Service

Since 1981, Love Fund for Children has been serving children in our community.

220,000+

Children Served

Since our start over 220,000 children have received assistance from the Love Fund.

10,000+

Children Served in 2022

The Love Fund’s goal for 2024 is to do it again!

 
 
 

About Us

The Love Fund for Children was established to improve the quality of life for children ages newborn to 18 in the Greater Kansas City metropolitan area when funding from other sources is not available. Examples of goods and services funded are, therapeutic tools, medical equipment, eye exams and glasses, clothing, shoes, beds and bedding, baby items, personal hygiene items and so much more.

The list of needs is long, and the Love Fund for Children is there to help. Our organization works directly with youth advocates such as case managers, therapists, counselors and medical care providers.

Our History

In 1981, former WDAF-TV anchor, Cynthia Smith, first aired the poignant news segment, “Thursday’s Child,” and, in doing so, laid the foundation for the Love Fund to grow into an organization dedicated to fulfilling unmet needs of children in our community. Viewers and employees alike responded to the compelling stories of area youngsters who were facing huge challenges in their lives. Contributions began pouring in to the television station to help provide the necessary goods and services the children needed in order to thrive. The Love Fund for Children was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in September 1982 and has been serving children each year since.

 
 
 

Our Team

Crystal yarnell

Development Manager

(816) 932-9107

Crystal.Yarnell@fox4lovefund.org

 

DIONNE PLEASANT

Executive Director

(816) 932-9170

Dionne.Pleasant@fox4lovefund.org

 
Leigh Marie color headshot.jpg

Leigh Marie Souan

Program Manager

(816) 932-9107

Leighmarie.Souan@fox4lovefund.org

 

kelly kirk

Donor & Community Relations Specialist

816-932-9170

kelly.kirk@fox4lovefund.org

 

Leadership

 

Candice Shum | President
Culligan Water

Matt Bennett | Vice President
Verimore Bank

Marshanna Smith | Secretary
Jackson County Gov.

Kaitlin Guthrie | Treasurer
Country Club Bank

Kayla Curiel, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC
Children’s Mercy

Brittany Fugate
Cenetric

Kristen Holloway
FOX4

Earl Kawaoka
Fry Wagner Moving & Storage

Kathleen Wallace
Great Southern Bank

David Lauck
MMC Corp

Adam O’Neill | EL Board President
CrossFirst Bank

Rick Randolph, MD
Heart to Heart International

Sam Storrs
Bluebird Network

Elizabeth Souder
What’s Next Biz

Emily Thorpe
Children’s Mercy