Happy New Year, Kansas City! We hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. To kick off 2026, we’re thrilled to feature an organization that has been close to our hearts for many years: the Supporting Kids Foundation (SKF).
We recently sat down with Sean Aikmus, Board President, to discuss the monumental impact this volunteer-led organization is making right here in our backyard.
An Essential Resource for KC Families
Rooted in the simple principle of neighbors helping neighbors, the Supporting Kids Foundation has evolved from a grassroots start in 2009 into one of the region’s most impactful nonprofits. Today, their 100% volunteer team is united by a singular mission of providing a financial lifeline to local families battling childhood cancer.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- $800,000 in financial assistance was distributed to families in 2024 alone.
- $5 million in total assistance has been provided since the foundation’s inception.
- 1,000 families in the Kansas City area have received direct support.
Where the Money Goes
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the emotional toll is heavy enough. The financial toll can be devastating. SKF steps in to bridge the gap for families, primarily those treated at Children’s Mercy Hospital. They provide direct payments for:
- Mortgage and rent payments
- Car payments and utility bills
- Home modifications to accommodate medical equipment
- Funeral expenses during the most difficult times
Deal Yourself In: The Annual Poker Night
The foundation actually started 16 years ago as a simple poker game between neighbors. Today, that tradition has evolved into their biggest and most high-energy event of the year.
- When: Saturday, January 31st
- Where: Children’s Mercy Park
- Description: High-stakes fun in a beautiful venue. Expect great drinks, a lot of laughs, and powerful stories from families who have been impacted by your generosity.
- Learn more & RSVP: https://skfdn.ejoinme.org/2026-skf-poker
As we mentioned in our Community Minute chat, it’s an uplifting environment but you might want to bring a tissue. The stories of resilience you’ll hear are exactly why we keep supporting this mission.
How You Can Get Involved
If you can’t make it to the annual poker night, there are plenty of other ways to help SKF reach their next million-dollar milestone.
Visit SupportingKids.org to:
- Donate directly to Kansas City families.
- View the full calendar of upcoming events.
- Learn how to volunteer your time.
Thank you, Sean, for taking the time to share your story and for everything you and your team do for our community. We’ll see you at the tables on January 31st!