More Than $1 Million Raised for the B.E. Smith Family Center at the 36th Annual Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy

A new fundraising record was set at the 36th Annual Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy event, held Sunday, Nov. 5. The event raised nearly $1.2 million for the B.E. Smith Family Center, which will be constructed on the Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) campus to serve children of the Kansas City community.

Twelve hundred guests attended the sold-out event at the Overland Park Convention Center. Funds raised will benefit the B.E. Smith Family Center, the future home of the Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center (Britain IDC) and the Shawnee Mission Health (SMH) Early Learning Center (ELC). The event was co-chaired by Scott and Julie Kelly, who have a long history of generous support and involvement with the Britain IDC, the Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy and The Foundation for SMMC, dating back to 1998.

The Britain IDC serves children from birth to age six with developmental challenges. The ELC provides faith-based education for the children of SMH associates and physicians. The two-story, 63,000 square-foot B.E. Smith Family Center will replace the outdated facilities where the programs currently operate and enhance their therapeutic and educational offerings. Designed to provide a modern learning environment for children of all ability levels, the Center will foster collaboration and connection between children, families and staff, and promote understanding and inclusion of children with special needs.

Through the Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy event and the Children's Capital Campaign, the Foundation for SMMC has raised more than $18 million for the new Center. Last year, former CEO of B.E. Smith, Doug Smith, and his wife, Nan, made a lead gift to begin the fundraising efforts for the project.

"We are grateful to each of our donors for their generosity, which enables us to serve children in the community with vital therapies and educational programming," said Lou Gehring, senior executive director of The Foundation for SMMC.

Each year, the Tiny Tim Holiday Fantasy event also presents the Richard V. Edmonds Award for Exemplary Service, which was created in 1995 in recognition of the years of leadership and service Richard Edmonds gave to SMMC and the community. The 2017 Richard V. Edmonds Award for Exemplary Service honored Kevin and Julie Hosley. The Hosleys started their journey at the Britain IDC nearly 20 years ago when their son, Reed, who was born with a rare genetic disorder, started receiving therapies.

Kevin and Julie, who are both employed by Hallmark, have generously donated their talents to the Britain IDC providing photography and art direction services for Tiny Tim and serving on the Tiny Tim Executive Committee.

"Receiving the Edmonds Award is a great honor," said Kevin Hosley. "Julie and I will never forget walking into the Britain IDC for the first time with our six-month-old baby in our arms with very little hope. That day was not just another day - it was a new beginning for our son. When you have a child with special needs, hope is everything. The Britain IDC changed our lives and we will be forever grateful."

For further information on Tiny Tim or the Childrens Capital Campaign, contact the Foundation for SMMC at Call913-676-2055.