This holiday season, LevelUp Kids is proud to celebrate the end of our 20th year as a local non-profit in Kansas City. We are so excited to share some of the things that make this 20th Anniversary special and express how thankful we are to all our partners and sponsors.
What Is Our Mission at LevelUp Kids?
It’s critical for every child to receive proper dental and vision care to ensure they remain healthy in all areas of life as they get older. Our mission at LevelUp Kids is to provide free dental and vision care to children of low-income families who don’t have access to these services on their own.
As a non-profit, we mainly collaborate with school districts in the North Kansas City area to empower families and create opportunities for kids to succeed in school and life. Since 2002, we’ve served more than 25,000 children in Platte and Clay Counties.
Our free dental program provides comprehensive dental exams and care to children through their schools. We have a portable school clinic and offer more advanced dental treatment by appointment at our office location. If our patients need to see a specialist, we work with parents to find the right solution depending on the child's needs.
Since 2018, we’ve been able to offer free vision care as well. Many children of low-income families don’t have access to vision care or eyeglasses, which can be detrimental to their performance in school. At LevelUp Kids, we offer vision screenings, eye exams, and free eyeglasses.
Currently, LevelUp Kids has the most comprehensive and efficient access-to-care models in the Kansas City area that’s school-based. We are so thankful to all of our sponsors for allowing us to provide free care to children who really need it.
2021 In Review
In 2021 alone, we:
Visited 45+ elementary, middle, and high schools
Saw 4,956 dental patients
Performed 10,439 vision screenings
Administered 849 eye exams and provided 597 pairs of eyeglasses for free
Completed 70% of treatment plans
We hosted two events in 2021: the Brush Up on Fashion event in August and our 20th Anniversary cocktail party in November. Our Brush Up on Fashion event was a huge success, and we were able to raise $75,161.
How Can You Support LevelUp Kids this Holiday Season?
As the end of the year approaches, there’s no better time than the holidays to donate to those in need. Unfortunately, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on the number of donations we were able to collect this year.
Currently, we are still collecting contributions for our 2021 donation cycle. LevelUp Kids heavily relies on the generosity of businesses and individuals who have partnered with us to bring free dental and vision care to children. If you find it in your heart to donate to our cause this holiday season, here’s how your monthly gift can make an impact:
For $10 a month (just 33 cents a day), you support the purchase of new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss for five children.
For $25 a month (just 83 cents a day), you support the training of our volunteers for a whole year.
For $50 a month (just $1.67 a day), you pay for sealants on four molars, protecting them from tooth damage and decay.
For $100 a month (just $3.34 a day), you cover the cost of eyeglasses for up to fifty kids every year.
If you would like to donate to LevelUp Kids, you can do so here.
Our Thoughts Going Forward
Going forward, we are excited to see what 2022 has to offer for our organization and how we can continue to make an impact in our Kansas City community.
Healthy habits are crucial to maintain all year round, but they’re especially important during the holiday season. Sweets, candy, and other sugary foods can become detrimental to your child’s teeth over time. Keep healthy habits in mind as you gather with family and friends this season.
LevelUp Kids is still providing free dental and vision care during the holidays! Check out our dental and vision schedules to see when we may be at your child’s school.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We want to extend a special thank you to all our partners and sponsors. Without your support, LevelUp Kids wouldn’t be the organization it is after 20 years of serving the Kansas City area. We are especially grateful to the following school districts for allowing us to serve your students:
North Kansas City
Park Hill
Liberty
Platte R-III
Kearney
Smithville
Excelsior Springs
West Platte
North Platte
Missouri City
If you would like to learn more about LevelUp Kids, or you’re interested in becoming a volunteer or partner, contact us today at 816-413-9009.