Kelly B. Todd organizes fundraisers to improve services

Jun. 12—Tarah Surratt knew her daughter Amilia was developing slowly, and after testing, they were referred to Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuro-Muscular Center.

"She couldn't walk 100% on her own until she was over two years old," Amilia's mom Tarah Surratt said. "Finally hitting that milestone with them here with her was a huge impact because she wasn't even crawling when she started here at 13 months."

Kelly B. Todd Cerebral Palsy and Neuro-Muscular Foundation helps an average of 220 patients per year without cost. The foundation has helped Amilia, 3, following her Med 13 diagnosis. Med 13 affects fine motor, speech and physical abilities.

As a non-profit, fundraisers cover about 25% of services, which is 55-60 children. Grant funding then covers about 20%, while insurance follows to cover the remainder.

A sponsorship from Legacy Buildings led the foundation to its recent fundraiser: a raffle for the chance to win a carport. Individual tickets are $25, five tickets are $100 and 33 tickets are $500.

"Grant funding and fundraising, it's pivotal to what we're doing," Kelly B. Todd CFO John Engelbrecht said.

The center will host a Night in the Tropics event in August. This will include entertainment, celebrities, a raffle and auctions. VIP corporate sponsorships will receive additional perks.

Night in the Tropics VIP passes are $3,000 and include an 8-person table, whereas single tickets are $100. All tickets can be purchased at the foundation.

"We have a lot of really great things planned, but we don't want to tell them what everything is just yet," Engelbrecht said. "That's kind of the mystery of it."

Executive Director Patti Mitchell said to wear fancy beach attire and flip flops because there will be toes in the sand.

Engelbrecht said the events provide families with an outing they can enjoy, while also having access to assistance.

"I think what a lot of people don't understand is when you have a child with disabilities, especially the disabilities that our children have, life becomes difficult," Mitchell said. "A lot of people aren't acceptable to putting up with that, so it's a night out with your kids where you're included and the kids are included."

To keep the foundation functioning at its best, Engelbrecht said it's focusing on spreading awareness and fundraising.

"One thing we want to drive is 100% of every contribution, every donation goes into our services and awareness and inclusion activities," Engelbrecht said.

Fundraisers, grants and sponsorships have enhanced the facility as they added an accessible kitchen to teach patients cooking skills and conduct sensory activities.

"They want to make sure their patients receive the services," Tarah said. "They make sure that they're taking care of family, not just in this setting, but also if they're out and about, and I think that's a big deal for them. Knowing that it's been taken care of and that the donations and the funding that they get pays for all of that is a huge stress relief."

Mitchell said their plans for future expansion can't happen without funding.

"We're not trying to knock on your doors," Mitchell said. "We're just trying to keep this place going and keep the services going."

Tarah said she hopes Amilia will graduate from Kelly B. Todd, but said they would always be involved because of the impact it has made in their lives.

"It's just crazy to think how much this center has helped her, and I wished we could have gotten in here sooner than when we did," Tarah Surratt said.

A new website at kellybtodd.org will launch soon where events, services and contact information can be found.