KRCC strives to make life better for children with special needs

KRCC Director Michelle Fayette explains some of the equipment used to help children learn various skills at the center in Sikeston.

These words represent the feelings of the staff at the Kenny Rogers Children's Center (KRCC) in Sikeston for services they provide to children with special needs

The Kenny Rogers Children's Center (KRCC) hopes to raise $500,000 in their upcoming telethon for an expansion to the center in Sikeston. The money will allow the center to expand the facility and hire additional therapists to serve more children with special needs in Southeast Missouri. The telethon will be broadcast on local cable channels on March 20 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The private non-profit center serves children from birth to 21 years of age that have special needs including those with cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, shaken-baby syndrome, autism, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, Williams Syndrome and many other physical and learning disabilities.

Director Michelle Fayette has been with the center for eight years and oversees a staff of 21 employees. The center sends both occupational and physical therapists to many public schools in Southeast Missouri stretching from Charleston to Poplar Bluff from east to west and Advance and Cape Girardeau to Portageville from north to south, and many other schools within that area.

KRCC sends 15 therapists into these schools to provide therapy in the mornings and then offers private sessions at the center in Sikeston in the afternoons. These children come from all over the Bootheel.

According to Fayette, the center obtains funding from fee-for-service payments from the school districts, private insurance companies, Medicaid and local SB 40 Boards. No money is collected from parents or individuals. Natalie Riley of Dexter serves on the Kenny Rogers Children's Center Board of Directors which is made up of 17 members from Southeast Missouri counties.

"These funds are far from adequate to meet the center's overall financial needs," says Fayette. "The center raises funds through two primary fundraising events: The annual KRCC Telethon and the Charity Walk."

Fayette says the fundraisers would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time, energy, talent and money. This year both Lauren Keith and Laura Wibbenmeyer, Cape television personalities, will help host the telethon, along with many Sikeston dignitaries.

KRCC opened its doors in 1974 as the Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid Counties United Cerebral Palsy Center with less than 10 children receiving services. It was renamed the Sikeston Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled and was serving 23 children by 1976.

Things changed dramatically for the center in 1977. It was that year that country music star Kenny Rogers was the featured performer at the 25th Annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. As part of his tour of Sikeston, Rogers visited the center and was "impressed" with the service provided to children in the area. He was sympathetic with the funding problems facing the center and donated an Arabian stallion to be auctioned as a way of raising funds. The horse brought $75,000.

On Feb. 19, 1978 Rogers teamed with another county music star, Dottie West, for a benefit concert in Sikeston and the concert raised $74,000. Rogers continued his commitment to the center with another joint concert with West in 1979 that raised $72,000, with Mel Tillis in 1979 and then a 1980 concert with the Gatlin Brothers, both of which were very successful.

The money raised led to the construction of the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center in June 1979 at a cost of $325,000.

Fayette notes that the Sikeston Jaycees sponsored the benefit concerts, and the center enjoyed the support of numerous civic and government entities which helped build the facility.

In January 2000 the name of the center was officially changed to the Kenny Rogers Children's Center and was expanded to include services to children with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities. Rogers returned in 2001 to perform a greatest hits concert in Sikeston which raised more than $75,000. The Sikeston Lions Club along with other Lions Clubs in District 26-D donated $75,000 which was matched by Lions International Foundation for a total of $150,000.

"The money was used to equip the center with state-of-the-art sensory integration rooms, address infrastructure needs at the center and to provide staff training," says Fayette.

Fayette notes that the center currently serves more than 300 children with special needs at no cost to the families served.

"Over the years the center has literally helped thousands of children with special needs," Fayette reflects. "This service helps these children attend public school, function more independently and gain the confidence they need to lead more active and productive lives."

This year the center received a special tax credit status designation from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Fayette says all businesses, farmers and landowners who donate $1,000 may qualify for one-half of their donation back in the form of state tax credits.

Many special events are planned in conjunction with the telethon this month. Keni Thomas and his band Cornbread will be performing during the telethon. Thomas is best known for his music in the movie Sweet Home Alabama and an on-screen roll in We Were Soldiers. He is a former Army Ranger and his story was retold in the movie Black Hawk Down. There are 200 items that will be part of a silent auction. A pancake breakfast, a barbecue plate lunch, dog show and a 5K walk/run are also among the events scheduled during that time.

"If you know a child that you think would benefit from the services provided at the center, please contact us," Fayette says. "Our vision is to make a difference in the live of children with special needs."