No one profile can best describe them, but they do share something in common: volunteers ensure that essential services, the programs offering them, and the communities, which benefit from them, continue to grow and thrive. They are young and old; students, businesspeople, homemakers; retired professionals. As the holiday season envelops us, the spirit of giving is on everyone's mind. It is important to remember, however, that there are people faced with urgent needs every day of the year. Giving can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Volunteering has a positive effect on the community and the person doing the volunteering. This journey of caring can be seen especially when it comes to children and the helping hand they need in times of extreme challenges and illness. Not only do children cry out for help, but also do parents and the agencies working to mainstream and assist children with challenges. Many people have chosen to give what talent, resources and time they do have. Few people exhibit the commitment towards helping others than the volunteers written about in the following pages. Join me in on a journey of caring as you read about ten local heroes who do something that they love--volunteering for the health and well being of children.

Sue Bailey knows the importance of identifying babies with hearing problems early. That's why she takes her job seriously. It's a job with no monetary benefit, but there are others that far outweigh a salary doing something she loves. Bailey conducts newborn hearing screening and detect hearing loss in newborns at Research Medical Center and Truman East Lakewood Hospitals. She's dedicated, instructor material and a standout volunteer. The program tests every baby born, while they are still in the hospital, for risk factors that might make a baby more likely to have a hearing problem. "There is a critical period for language development and babies who miss out, because they can't hear during this time, have a very difficult time catching up," said Bailey. "I love being able to tell parents right at birth that their baby can hear just fine." Gina Shay-Zapien, RN in women's services, said that Bailey is an invaluable asset to the second floor women's center at Research Medical Center. "She has such a talent in her success rate in testing the babies," Shay-Zapien said. "She's an outstanding tester in making sure everything is just right so there are positive results." Prior to volunteering, Bailey worked for 35 years in wiring, assembly and testing at AT&T. Her work at the hospital involves computer programs with a variety of sensors. She's so proficient that she's only had two infants fail and they had family members who were deaf. At least 1 in 1000 babies is born deaf and perhaps 5 in 1000 have a significant hearing loss. Some of these babies can be treated to improve or restore hearing. Others need special educational adaptations to develop communication and language skills in other ways. All will need special help and support from their teachers.

When Peaches Tutera Cunningham arrived at the Children's Spot she thought her life was over. At 35, she was told that her baby John David was autistic. It was a huge blow. Life got better. Cunningham heard about The Children's Spot (Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy), a department of Saint Luke's Hospital that provides early and intensive rehabilitative therapy to young children with disabilities and developmental delays. The center works with infants and preschool aged children on speech, language, hearing, learning and/or physical disabilities arising from problems such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and complications from premature birth. The primary goal of The Spot is to increase each child's functional independence. That is what happened to John David. He is 7 years old and attends Prairie Elementary School in Prairie Village, Kan. "The staff is so kind and loving," she said. "It is unbelievable what they did for John David. Everyday was like a parent/teacher conference. He's doing great in school and mainstreaming well. We, all of us (my family) would not be here today if it wasn't for The Children's Spot." Cunningham said she still fields about three phone calls a week from other parents whose children have just been diagnosed. She said it is never easy and takes a long time to get past the denial. To help other parents, she joined The Children's Spot board, became president and is currently serving in her fourth year. Her and her husband David have also chaired the capital campaign for the Once Upon a Time Party for the children and their parents. The event takes place every November just after Thanksgiving. "Parents bond when you have a child with special needs you all need to network with each other," she said. "People come from all parts of the city to get to The Spot--it is just a wonderful place and I'm proud to be affiliated with it."

One of America's greatest tragedies is the lack of adequate health care for children. Turner House Clinic brings hope in the midst of that tragedy. Serving one of the poorest neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kan., the Turner House Clinic, an ecumenical Christian ministry, provides free health care for children 18 years and younger who do not have health insurance. Anthoni "Toni" M. Diehl, MD and co-director of Turner House, said he sees more and more children of the working poor fall behind the cracks who do not have health insurance and don't make enough to afford a private physician. It is that reason he left his thriving 13-year private pediatric cardiology practice to devote his life to mission work. That was in September of 1990. Prior to that he was head of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center for 25 years. He's 79 years old and is responsible for the overall medical affairs for Turner House. The clinic is staffed by a full time nurse supervisor, a nurse practioner, a half time employed pediatrician and a bilingual receptionist. The center provides physical exams, routine childcare, growth and development. There is a pharmacy and laboratory on site. "We ask the family to pay $20 which includes immunizations and any medications that are required," Diehl said. "No patient is ever turned down because of an inability to pay." In addition to his work at Turner House, Diehl also organizes medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic to take care of the sugar cane workers and their families. He and a team of physicians and nurses have served 650 patients in five years. He's also set up a malnutrition prevention program for children ages one through age 5 in that area. "I spend most of my time giving back to others," he said. "It is my desire to do so and it is in my religious background to help other people."

At a towering 6'2", Chuck Horstman is gentle, kind and loves holding babies. He retired in 1986 and can't think of anything he'd rather do than spend time at Children's Mercy Hospital Infant Surgical Recovery Room. He puts in about 12 hours a week between Wednesday and Thursday. It was about this time of year when his pastor asked him to read stories to children at the hospital. His loyalty to the hospital and especially to the hospital's tiniest patients has brought him back year after year. He's in his 13th year now. He's known as Uncle Chuck by the nursing staff on the second floor, but admits at 77 years of age, he could actually be called Grandpa Chuck. The nurses call on Horstman to help infants when they are waking from surgery. "Some children wake up wild after being sedated. They come out of the anesthesia swinging and kicking. I just hold them gently, rock them and hum to them a little bit," he said. "Nothing in particular, whatever comes to mind. I'm just there to calm their fears and help them from crying." Horstman said he also helps transport patients to rooms, puts sheets on beds and basically whatever the nursing staff might need. "There have been some children that I've grown attached to over the years, especially the young children with oncology," he said. "I would see them frequently when they would come in for lumbar punctures. I've lost two children over the years and that makes my heart ache." Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City provide comprehensive health care and services to thousands of children every year. Volunteers serve in many capacities at the hospital.

Bette Monson speaks fervently about the efforts of the Marillac Center. Marillac has blessed her many times over--the children are, through no fault of their own, in need of affection and encouragement. Being a part of Marillac through volunteering has given Monson an avenue to support the diligent staff and the wonderful children. Marillac is a safe, caring and structured mental health treatment facility for nearly 80 children and adolescents ages 4-17. The center who's home has been on Main Street since 1992, will move to the former Charter Hospital site at 8000 W. 127th in Overland Park in January. "Its mission is to work with the community in restoring the children to a better life," she said. "I think that is what Kansas City is all about. I had the time; my family was always agreeable and supportive of my community service. So, it has been my career to be involved in the community." Monson said the children are not at Marillac by choice. They are there because of unfortunate happenings in their life whether it is drugs, abuse, genetic imbalance; they are in need of help. She's been an active volunteer with Marillac since 1992, serving on the board for three terms. Her latest position is working on the steering committee to raise nearly $7 million for the upcoming move. "Marillac is teaching life skills to these kids that will surely benefit them in the years to come," she said. "I think the staff does an extraordinary job with the children. They have a fabulous art therapy program that allows the children an avenue to express themselves; many times some of the horrors of their life are expressed through art. It is rewarding to see how their sense of self worth increases (through their art) while they are at Marillac."

Jane Musgrove continues to give back to The Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center, a community outreach program of Shawnee Mission Medical Center that touches the lives of children with challenges. She smiles proudly when she says her daughter is one of the programs graduates. Sarah, 18, has cerebral palsy. After searching and asking several physicians, Musgrove was told about a center at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. She enrolled her daughter at the age of 18 months. She's been volunteering at the center for more than 10 years. The center provides a unique program that involves parents and siblings in the process of therapeutic treatment and education. "The program provided so much for me and my daughter that I feel honored to be able to give back," she said. "Sarah still remembers the school. It made a tremendous impression on her." The Lee Ann Britain Center serves approximately 100 children annually from birth to age 6, who are developmentally disabled. Thanks to the vision of a young speech therapist, Lee Ann Britain, there is a place for parents to turn when they hear, "your baby has a problem." "It is such a wonderful place. The people who work there are truly dedicated to helping the children succeed," Musgrove said. "And, they are always in need of volunteers." Musgrove helps the children in the classroom with their fine and gross motor skills. She also assists children who need help walking and attend to the child to keep them on task with daily class work. An unexpected benefit Musgrove gained in her years as a parent and volunteer is the good friendships she's made and kept. "The school brought a group of people together," she said. "Our children have share a common bond of going to school and have grown up together. I've still kept in touch over this past ten years."

Food. Caring. Tradition. All ingredients for Sunday night dinners at the Ronald McDonald Houses near Children's Mercy Hospital and the University of Kansas Medical Center. The woman behind the Sunday Meals is Jan Regan, a person who's been there. Her daughter, Casey, who is now 33 years old, was diagnosed in fifth grade with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Her chances weren't good. She survived. What Regan never forgot was the amount of caring she received from other people. The neighbors and members of the church showed up nightly with warm meals. That was 19 years ago. The Regan's continue to recruit volunteers to prepare Sunday dinners and provide fellowship for out of town families with seriously ill children who use the Ronald McDonald Houses. "It's a pretty religious thing that I'm down there every Sunday night," Regan said. "What else am I going to do? Besides, I meet the neatest people on Sunday nights. The food is always appreciated and you know food brings people together. I can't tell you how many tears have been shed over meals there. It's a total gift." Groups of all ages from churches, clubs, schools, Scouts, families and civic organizations prepare meals. Volunteers are then asked to stay, eat and visit with the Ronald McDonald Houses families. Regan is booked for meals through May 2004. When such families have children who are in the hospital with serious illnesses or injuries, Ronald McDonald Houses provide lodging. These families are consumed by concern about their hospitalized children, and want to be with them, always. The last thing on their mind is what to fix for dinner. The goal of the Ronald McDonald house is to give families a sense of normal family life by providing a home-like setting.

Ela Shacklett said it best. When asked why she wants to volunteer at the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired after teaching there for 31 years, she answers, "Because my heart is in the place." She's 68-years-young and still plays with two-year-olds and for Shacklett that is where she wants to be. "I love being there with the children," she said. "The people who work at the center are so dedicated and if you are going to spend time volunteering you should do it where your heart is." Shacklett can relate with the students now more than ever. She's has macular degeneration and is losing her own ability to see. She proudly states though, that she can see well enough to work with the children. She helps them stay on task, assists teachers in educating students on daily living skills, good learning habits and assists students in inspiring them to reach their full potential and independence. That is what the school did for her son, David, who was born legally blind in one eye. A friend of hers told her about the school. With a degree in early childhood education and an invitation to join the staff, she went for it and as she says, "the rest is history." The Children's Center for the Visually Impaired is the only school in the Kansas City area that offers specialized instruction for the blind and visually impaired for children from birth to kindergarten. Additional services include occupational therapy, Braille instruction, orientation and mobility and low vision training. The center serves more than 150 children. Shacklett said she couldn't volunteer there without her friends and fellow volunteers who get her from point A to point B. She and Ruth Smith are co-chairs of the volunteers in training and scheduling them for all the classrooms. It is no easy task.

The name Rachel Starcke and volunteerism go hand in hand. She's only 21, but she's known well at the St. Vincent's Family Service Center. The children adore her. They look forward to sitting on her lap, playing with her hair and just hanging out. She also assists the nursing staff with immunizations. St. Vincent's provides support for parents who are working, in school, in a shelter of some kind, or working toward independence. The center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age (before and after school programs). There is also infant care, preschool, individual play and speech therapy. The center works with social services in case management, referral services and emergency services. Starcke's pilgrimage to St. Vincent's began about seven years ago and the more she goes the more she likes it. "I would recommend doing volunteer working with children," she said. "It changes the way you look at your life and really opens your eyes to what life is really like for some people. It has been a life changing experience for me." Her volunteer efforts have helped spark her interest into going into urban ministries and mission work. She plans to attend Calvary Bible College in South Kansas City, Mo. in January 2004. Ultimately, she'd like to live abroad and help children living in poverty. "There is a real need," she said. "There is a lot of poverty and children that are homeless and I'd like to do something to help them."

After 23 years of volunteer work at The Children's Place, Janet Warren's friends don't ask her anymore why she keeps going. For Warren, the answer is simple. The notion of volunteering was something she picked up from her mother. "I learned from my mom about what it meant to help other people," she said. "She was always the one to take cookies at Christmas. No matter how busy she was, she found time to give of herself to make someone else happy. We are so blessed, and if we can help somebody that doesn't have what we have--well it's just the way it's suppose to be." Warren said she does make a difference at the Brookside facility by volunteering in every classroom to help work with the children one on one. She helps the teachers organize and conduct student circle time. A time devoted to learning numbers, colors, following direction and learning games. "I love children and working at the center," she said. "The kids that attend are very gifted and they just crave love and attention because they haven't had it or had a traumatic experience in their life. At the Children's Place, they are in a safe place with someone that can give them unconditional love." Founded in 1978 in response to a growing awareness of childhood abuse and neglect, The Children's Place is a vital resource for families, offering a continuum of services designed to ensure health, safety and security of young children. The children arrive at the center through special channels. They are often physically, abused or neglected children ages six months through kindergarten age. Warren learned about The Children's Place as a member of the Kansas City Missouri Junior League. It was her provisional placement. She spent a year there and has never left. She makes the trek from southern Overland Park and her other love, Warren's Christmas Tree Farm, to Brookside one day a week. The children visit the family farm in the summertime. "We grill hot dogs, go on tractor rides and let the kids run through the rows and rows of trees," she said. "The kids love to yell as loud as they can in the barn. It is just great fun to see them so happy and carefree when they visit us."