“Have a Heart, Help A Child”

Who We Are/Why We Do It

There are over 2,000 children in the Kansas City area who are currently Wards of the State of Missouri.  More than forty years ago, employees of the Jackson County, Missouri Division of Family Services established a program called "Corporate Christmas" to provide Christmas presents for these children each year.  Unfortunately, the State provides no funds for this project and, hopefully, most of the children are “adopted” for Christmas by individuals and groups in the area.

Our organization adopts over 500 of these children each year and have thus far provided for over 9,000 kids in our nineteen years of participation.  The Kansas City, Missouri Retired Firefighters are the backbone of our involvement and we recruit members of the KCMO Fire Department, as well as, family members, co-workers, and friends to participate in fulfilling the needs of these children.  Each volunteer is asked to provide at least one complete outfit and items from the child's “Wish” list, which may include toys, bicycles, or even a winter coat.  Our organization fills the bags with "extras" to insure that each child will have a special Christmas.

All items used as “extras” in these gift packages are provided by contributions of funds or merchandise from businesses and individuals.  We are a 501c3 organization and all contributions to this project are tax deductible.  If you or your company can help in providing any of these items, you will be sending the message to many, many kids that “Somebody still cares.”

Sherrill and Joe Burnell
Approved Volunteer Agents
The Jackson County, Missouri Division of Family Services
In Association with
Members and Retirees of the
Kansas City, Missouri Fire Department
(816) 356-0777
haveaheart@kc.rr.com
 

Contribution or Inquiries
Have A Heart
5220 Northern Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64133
(816) 356-0777