US Bank Grants a Happy Holiday Season To The Kempe Foundation

Despite the current state of the economy, holiday generosity is still alive and well in the Denver community. US Banks’ “Hugs for the Holidays” donates items to several local charities. For the past several years, The Kempe Foundation has been a beneficiary. Every holiday season, each US Bank branch gets a wish list from one of the charities and the employees purchase gifts on the list. The employees also create a holiday themed display for the gifts to sit under until they’re presented to the charities.

On Wednesday, December 10th, 2008, representatives from the charities were treated to a reception and presented with the collected gifts. Kempe received donations of children's clothes, board games, and stuffed animals. All of the gifts together were valued around several hundred dollars. “All of the employees were very nice and excited to support Kempe. We’re grateful for their generosity,” says Beth Stefl, Kempe Development Coordinator. During the reception, the displays created by US Bank employees were judged and awarded and all attendees enjoyed meeting and greeting one another. Also, US Bank organized a contest drawing for the charities. The charity selected out of the drawing won $1000. With great surprise and excitement, Kempe was the winner of the prize.

Although budgets are tight this year, US Bank has continued to be champions in the community by providing a great holiday season to families less fortunate. Generosity is certainly alive and well and clearly a part of the company culture at US Bank. Kempe is appreciative and honored to have such great support.

Kempe Champions and Build-A-Bear

What do you get when you mix a group of young professionals and a teddy bear factory? The Kempe Champs helping out the cause! On Tuesday, September 30th, a group of Kempe Champions got together to make some bears at the Build-A-Bear workshop in Cherry Creek Mall. The bears were used as table decorations for our annual Story Hour fundraiser on Tuesday, October 14th, and will be given to graduates of the Kempe Fostering Healthy Families Program.

The Kempe Champions objective and mission is to engage young professionals ages 21 to 40 to support the mission of The Kempe Foundation, which is to increase awareness, engage in advocacy, and secure and provide resources for the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Established in 2008 as The Kempe Foundation’s network of young professionals, the Kempe Champions have become a key component in generating event attendance, awareness, and support among our young community leaders.

If you are interested in learning more about Kempe Champions, please contact Mae at desaire.mae@kempe.org

Hey Lady, what did that bear ever do to you?

What Makes Kempe Story Hour Special?

As we prepare for our third annual Kempe Story Hour event our goal is to make it a truly special, mission driven event that you will not forget. This year we are very pleased to have one of our dedicated Kempe supporters, Laura “Ryan” Krausa and her daughter Lyndsay perform the touching song, “For Good” from the musical “Wicked.”

Laura “Ryan” Krausa, professional Denver actress

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them

The words from this song, in relation to the doctors and professionals at Kempe helping the children we treat everyday, are truly inspiring.

Laura and Lyndsay recently shared their thoughts about participating in this meaningful fundraising event for Kempe. Laura said, “To be able to give this kind of gift to Kempe and to know that my contribution is a small part of changing a child's life - well, that's incredible. It's meaningful to me, beyond what words can describe. To make this experience all the more special - I have this amazing opportunity to sing with my own daughter. WOW!”

Lyndsay, currently in the 6th grade, said, “Singing one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite musicals has really made my dreams rise, but the best thing is that I'm doing it for a good reason. Kempe has inspired me to do good for others. I have to say I am truly honored.”


Please join us for Kempe Story Hour, an event where you can change the life story of an abused child, October 14, 2008, 8-9am at the Seawall Ballroom.

Helen Sebring-Lawler and The Kempe Lemonade Stand

Although only four years old, Helen Sebring-Lawler has joined the fight to end child abuse and neglect. On July 20th 2008, Helen sold Crayons® Pink Lemonade for five hours outside her Boulder home to neighborhood friends and school mates. All the proceeds raised from the lemonade stand went to The Kempe Foundation for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Crayons® All Natural Beverage Company, specializing in producing juice drinks for kids, launched their Pink Lemonade Brigade in June 2008. The community service learning project encourages kids to give back to their communities and raise money for their favorite charities using a traditional lemonade stand.

“I wanted to do something good for the community that could involve my daughter Helen. I did some research on the internet and found Crayons’® Pink Lemonade Brigade. It looked fun and meaningful so I asked Helen if she wanted to do it. She was very excited and interested in participating,” said mom, Amy Sebring.

After signing up for the project online, Crayons® sent Amy the lemonade and all of the materials to build the stand. “Helen and her friend Ellie decorated the entire stand themselves and also included Kempe materials,” says Amy.

When asked why the family chose Kempe to donate the proceeds to, Amy explained that she’s a long time donor and cares about Kempe’s mission. “I’m very impressed with Kempe and the programs they have to help children. They’re making a big difference in the community. The staff is friendly, was very appreciative of my daughter’s efforts, and we feel they truly care about their supporters.”

At the end of the day, Helen raised $66.20 which was matched by Amy, bringing the total donation to $132.40. Amy exclaimed that she’s very proud of her daughter. “Helen is only four, but she understands the importance of helping others, especially kids like her.”

We Got Our Blue On!

Throughout the month of April, citizens will see Denver “turn on the blue” with lights in Larimer Square and large blue ribbons around the metro area including the Colorado State Capitol.

Kempe Therapeutic Preschool

I volunteer serving lunch at our preschool once a month and today was just great. The kids (3-6 year olds who have been abused and/or neglected) made their own "cowboy" beef stew in honor of the Western Stockshow in Denver going on right now. They had (thanks to our generous donors) also been on a special field trip to a local western gear store to buy cowboy hats and boots. Every one of the kids was wearing a unique pair of cowboy boots to go with each one of their unique personalities!

We had a great time talking about cowboys, horses, and cows. They were also interested in why I had so much gray hair... If you want to help these kids, you can volunteer serving lunch or in the classroom at our preschool. Visit our website www.kempe.org and click on "I'd Like to Help".

- Jesse