KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Runners World Magazine calls the Groundhog Run one of the best runs in the country. The event is limited to 3,500 people.
The course is underground at the Hunt Midwest sub-tropolis. This is the 30th year for the event. The money raised by the event means millions of dollars have gone to support preschoolers at Children’s Therapeutic Learning Center.
“We try to provide a quality early childhood education for the kids regardless of their disabilities and try to push them to maximize their abilities,” said Alan Murray with Children’s TLC.
Children’s TLC serves more than 500 children with disabilities and learning delays every month. The preschoolers are given water therapy and even music therapy. The kids are told “they can” instead of “they wont.”
That’s why Jesse and Kristen Kuhllen are running.
“We saw a specialist who said if she doesn’t sit by two she will never walk or talk,” said Kristen Kuhllen. “That was really hard to hear. ”
Bella, a four-year-old was born with chromosomal abnormalities. At Children’s TLC, the Kuhllens found support. Bell is already doing some of the things doctors never said she would.
There’s one teacher for every four students. The programs at Children’s TLC are expensive and 40 percent of families there can’t afford it. The money raised from the run helps close the gap on those expenses. Families who live children with disabilities all over the metro are grateful.
“Thank you and keep up the good work!” said Jesse Kuhllen.
The Groundhog Run raised more than $200,000 for Children’s TLC on Sunday.
