It’s the first annual Maguire Gilner Angel Day 5K Run.

Mark your calendar now for May 14th, 2011.

I only briefly met the mom of Maguire standing on a friend’s driveway. She was coming, I was going. For some reason I asked, “How many kids do you have?”  One of my typical questions when I meet another mom.  When she told me she had lost two baby boys, I could barely get out an “I’m sorry.”  With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes I drove home thinking about how lucky I was to have my two beautiful and healthy kids.

This is an update to our “Boy on a Mission” story.

Jack N. has put together a team of elementary school kids to help reach this year’s goal to raise of $10,000 for Children’s Mercy Hospital.  Kids in Overland Park have been busy brainstorming ideas to raise funds.  A holiday bake sale has already yielded $200.  A garage sale is scheduled for December 11th for the kids to sell their outgrown clothes and gently-used toys, games, books and other items.  (Contact gailsscoop@gmail.com for details).

Jumping Jax, an indoor open-play venue in Overland Park, is again generously hosting two open-play sessions in December.  There will be free playtime for kids with a donation to Children’s Mercy Hospital.  Sessions are scheduled for December 28th and 30th from 3-6 p.m.

100% of all proceeds will be benefit the Pediatric Dental Clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospital. They treat children with special needs and those who cannot afford treatment.

Since 2005, Jack Novorr has set out to raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital during the holidays. This year’s goal: $10,000!

It began when Jack was 5 years old and overheard a story about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The television story was about sick children who were victims of the hurricane and were being airlifted to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. The kids had lost everything, including in some cases their parents. After his parents explained, as best they could to a 5 year old, what happened, Jack disappeared to his room. When his mom Jennifer went to check in on him, he was sitting on his floor emptying out his piggy bank. He told his parents that he wanted to give all of his money to the kids on t.v. to help buy new houses, clothes, and toys. Needless to say, he had a pretty full piggy bank. He donated several hundred dollars of his own money (all in loose change), which went directly to help the kids that he saw on television”.

In 2006, Jack recruited his younger sister Sophie to help raise money. Together, they raised more donations than the year before. Their donation that year, and every year since has grown, and has funded new toys for sick kids to play with while staying at Children’s Mercy.

Last year, with the power of 3 younger siblings (Sophie, Tate, and Lilah), Jack was more determined than ever. He partnered with his neighbors who own Jumping Jax, an indoor inflatable play venue in Overland Park. Jumping Jax  generously donated open play sessions to the public, in exchange for a donation to Children’s Mercy Hospital.  Jack and his family donated nearly $5,000 to Children’s Mercy Hospital.

This year Jack is now in 5th grade and is quite the young philanthropist.  He is putting together a team of elementary school kids to help reach this year’s goal of $10,000.  Jumping Jax is again generously hosting with two open-play sessions in December.  Free play for kids with a donation to Children’s Mercy Hospital.  Specific dates and times will be announced soon.