Missouri Kids

For 50 Years, This Missouri Community Has Answered a Single Call: ‘We’ll Be There’

It started with one young athlete and a life-changing injury. Five decades later, the story of Missouri KIDS is still being written by neighbors helping neighbors, proving that a single act of compassion can spark a lifetime of support.

MISSOURI – It began, as the most powerful stories often do, with a simple act of neighborly love. When a young Missouri wrestler suffered a catastrophic injury, his community didn’t just offer condolences; they built a movement. That was the seed 50 years ago that grew into Missouri KIDS, an organization founded on the belief that when a child faces a life-altering challenge, their community should be their foundation.

That founding spirit is far from a historical footnote. It’s the same force that recently rallied around JJ Hutson, a teenager from Lebanon left permanently disabled after a car accident. Suddenly, his family needed a vehicle he could use—a gateway to the world that felt impossibly out of reach. And just as they did half a century ago, the community answered, coming together to provide an accessible van.

“His story echoes the very heartbeat of our beginnings,” said Jennifer Stanfill, Operations Coordinator at Missouri KIDS. “It’s Missouri communities taking care of their own.”

A Promise That Doesn’t Expire

What makes Missouri KIDS unique is the permanence of its promise. Their commitment isn’t a one-time transaction; it’s a lifelong relationship. As children grow, their needs evolve, and the organization evolves with them, providing everything from multiple vehicles over a lifetime to adaptive equipment, medical-grade beds, and wheelchairs as old ones wear out.

This enduring support creates a path forward, ensuring that a child’s dreams aren’t sidelined by their circumstances. Take Kiland, for example. With the support of Missouri KIDS, including crucial tuition assistance, he recently crossed the stage to receive his diploma from Lindenwood University. His educational dreams were kept firmly within reach, a testament to an organization that supports the whole person, not just the immediate injury.

The Ripple Effect of Compassion

The engine of this work is the community itself—donors and volunteers who step in with what they have, creating ripple effects of profound impact.

“Sometimes the greatest impact comes from unexpected places,” the Missouri KIDS team recalls. They share the story of a local couple who, upon hearing about a child in an inaccessible home, immediately donated the funds to build a wheelchair ramp. “For that family, it wasn’t just a construction project—it was freedom, dignity, and safety.”

Resilience in Motion

Those who work with Missouri KIDS say they are consistently humbled and inspired by the young people they serve. They point to Drew, who suffered a devastating fall while on vacation. What could have been an end became a new beginning.

“His drive to work out daily, build strength, rebuild his independence by walking again, and inspire others is resilience personified,” Stanfill says. “Drew is a daily reminder that strength isn’t defined by circumstances—it’s defined by how you choose to rise after the fall.”

The Unmet Need and the Next Chapter

As Missouri KIDS looks to the next 50 years, the most pressing need remains startlingly clear: access to adaptive equipment and vehicles. Insurance rarely covers the full cost of a wheelchair-accessible van or a specialized therapeutic device, leaving families to choose between financial ruin and their child’s independence.

The call to action is simple, echoing the same community-based model that started it all. New supporters can help bridge this gap by donating, sponsoring events, or becoming monthly donors. It’s an invitation to ensure that for the next child who faces a life-altering moment, the response will be the same as it was 50 years ago: a community rising up to say, “We’re here. For life.”

From a recent auction fundraiser:

To learn more about Missouri KIDS and how you can support their mission, visit their website at missourikids.org.  You can also find out more about the organization by visiting their Facebook page or their Instagram.