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Kendyl and Friends Foundation P.O. Box 298 Burgin, KY 40310
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Our beautiful star logo is courtesy of Shelbi Hopper,
KFF Overcomers Baseball Star and Artist in Harrodsburg, KY |
Meet Our Stars Campaign 2024 As we lead up to the Annual Gala and Fundraiser, we are asking you to participate in shining a light on children and youth of all abilities. You and your children are the reason for Kendyl and Friends Foundation. If you would like us to feature your child on this website and in our social media outlets, between July and September 2024, please click here to learn more and see all the stars we are featuring this summer! |
Our Story and Mission
At a mere three weeks of age, Kendyl began having seizures and was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital. After many extensive tests, Kendyl was diagnosed with meningitis and she slipped into a coma.
After two weeks of excruciating treatment without any signs of improvement, doctors told her parents that there was nothing more they could do for her. Kendyl was then given a prognosis of only living to be two months old and if by the grace of God, she surpassed that time frame, she would be in a vegetable-like state, relying on machines to keep her alive. It was suggested that her parents call in the family to say their goodbyes because Kendyl would not make it much longer.
Fortunately..... Click here to read the full story
After two weeks of excruciating treatment without any signs of improvement, doctors told her parents that there was nothing more they could do for her. Kendyl was then given a prognosis of only living to be two months old and if by the grace of God, she surpassed that time frame, she would be in a vegetable-like state, relying on machines to keep her alive. It was suggested that her parents call in the family to say their goodbyes because Kendyl would not make it much longer.
Fortunately..... Click here to read the full story
Meet our Executive and General Board
Thank you for your patience as we expand the information and resources on our Website
Thank you for your patience as we expand the information and resources on our Website
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Crimson Claycomb, Executive Director
As the founder of KFF, this is a labor of love to serve as the Executive Director. See Kendyl's Story above. Cathy C. White, Secretary
I am a seasoned educator and consultant with over three decades of experience in special education, instructional design, and system development. I am the stepmother of Sekoe White, a former member of the USA Deaflympic Basketball team and a member of the USA Deaf Basketball Hall of Fame. He graduated from Kentucky School for the Deaf and Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School in Fayette County. Sekoe is on the basketball coaching staff at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and is the Head Coach of the USA Deaf U21 Team. I am an Adjunct Instructor at Midway University, where I teach courses related to exceptional children, legal aspects of special education, and integrating children and youth with exceptionalities into general education. I previously served as an Adjunct Instructor at Eastern Kentucky University for over 15 years, focusing on the education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I taught Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in a variety of classroom settings for over a decade. My work at the Kentucky Department of Education allowed me to serve schools throughout the state in a variety of roles to support effective teaching and learning. In these roles, I supported school improvement efforts, coordinated programs, and reviewed educator preparation programs. My dedication to effective teaching and helping students reach their full potential drives my commitment to fostering inclusive and effective education for all learners. This passion connects me to the work of the Kendyl and Friends Foundation. |
Leslie J. Hardman, Chair and Interim Treasurer
I am a past KFF Board member and current chairperson. I have been a pediatric occupational therapist (OT) for 40 years and am Associate Professor at Eastern Kentucky University in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, teaching students for 10 years. KFF families and supporters are my community members and I have known many of our participants their whole lives, including Kendyl. I am skilled at program development and use my OT expertise to support the mission of KFF to provide inclusive playgrounds, sports, events and creative activities for families, children, and adults with all abilities. There is no better day than when I get to play baseball or basketball with happy young people. I have learned with them all the creative ways you can run the bases or shoot a basketball! Geri Packwood, Social Media and Marketing Director
I am a Nurse Practitioner at the University of Kentucky (UK) with a bachelor's and doctoral degree from UK in advanced nursing practice as well as a BS and MS in Animal Science. After practicing as an emergency department nurse for 8 years, I began my practice as an advanced practice nurse with UK Healthcare in 2017 as a Board-Certified Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. As a lifelong learner and patient advocate, improving healthcare literacy and offering family support is a passion. I currently serve a corresponding writer, social media marketer and healthcare support in my role with Kendyl and Friends. My husband Ryan and our children share residences in Central KY and Southern Indiana. In my rare spare time, I enjoy gardening, the outdoors, travel, and community events with family. Fun fact: my daughter Kaylee is an Overcomer player and our family is one of many embracing Overcomers sports as family tradition. |
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Sandy Richardson, Board Member
I have had the honor of serving as a board member for KFF for more than 8 years. In the beginning, my decision to be a part of this foundation was primarily to help plan activities for my son who has an extremely rare genetic disorder, Zhu-Tokita-Takenouchi-Kim (ZTTK) Syndrome. However, The love I have developed for all the special friends we have made has ultimately kept me here. I have a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky and have served on a number of groups, committees, and boards all of which has enabled me to use my skills for organizing activities and fundraisers. It has been one of my greatest honors being a part of Kendyl and Friends Foundation and I look forward to the exciting things we have planned for the future. David Best, Board Member
My name is David Best and I am a lifelong Mercer County resident. My wife, Sheila, and I have been married for thirty-four years, have two beautiful daughters and two grandsons. I am truly blessed and have always tried to stay involved and give back to my community because I believe in our community and all the people that call Mercer County home. I serve as Vice President of the Mercer County Fair and Horse Show, District Chief of Station 11 of the Mercer County Fire Protection District and have been a certified EMT for 30 years. I am honored to have been installed as a Kentucky Colonel and Commonwealth Ambassador in 2017. I am a 1989 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Agriculture and majored in Agricultural Economic (Business Management and Finance and Credit Management). I am employed as Branch Manager of the Local Officials Compliance and Technical Support Branch in the Kentucky Department of Revenue for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. My wife and I also own and operate Best Sound Around, an audio support business which provides PA live sound support for festivals, graduations, fairs, and cheerleading & dance competitions. Our business has served the central Kentucky area since 1993. I became involved with Kendyl and Friends Foundation several years ago, as a Board member. Through this organization, I have received so many blessings and gratification from serving all the special needs children and young adults we encounter. There are many that I will never meet that this foundation has impacted through the playgrounds we have assisted with. Another joy I see is the impact made on the parents, grandparents, and caregivers of these children, who place their trust in us and see that we love them. We strive to turn disabilities into abilities when we see the children at play on one of the playgrounds or teaching and assisting them in baseball games in our Overcomers Baseball League. |
Tammi Hopper, Board Member
I have been associated with Kendyl & Friends for about 8 years. My family moved from Frankfort to Harrodsburg in 2007. My husband and I have 5 grown children, and 12 grandchildren. Our youngest child, Shelbi & I were involved in a car accident in 2009 leaving her with a traumatic brain injury. She was 12 at the time. She is wheelchair bound, with only use of her left arm. This does not dim her sparkle in any way. She stays busy inspiring others by reaching out through texting, as well as her art. She is the only person I know who wakes up with a smile on her face every day. I have been her caregiver since the accident. Our lives revolve around our home and family. If it weren’t for Kendyl & Friends, Shelbi would not even know that it was possible for her to be a baseball player. We have this wonderful organization to thank for that. I am so thankful God saved me to take care of Shelbi, and that we found a group that thinks all kids (young & old) deserve to have a lifetime of happiness. Sheila Best, Board Member
My name is Sheila Best. I am married to David and am a lifelong resident of Mercer County. My background involves working in the insurance industry for over 28 years (as a licensed agent) and now as an Insurance Policy Specialist II for the KY Department of Insurance. My husband, David and I have been associated with Kendyl and Friends Foundation for many years and are honored to serve as Board Members. It is such a joy to join with the many wonderful people associated with the foundation in helping with all the various events of the foundation, whether it be Overcomers Baseball and Basketball and Cheerleading to Trunk or Treat or the wonderful Galas to help raise funds to realize Kendyl and Friends Foundation's goal for an All Inclusive Baseball Field. I am a hobby photographer and truly love taking photographs at the many Kendyl and Friends Foundations events. It is so rewarding to capture precious moments of our Overcomer Athletes and share the photos of their precious, smiling faces!! Kaylynn Rothacker, Board Member
As a public school teacher, mother and child advocate, Kaylynn is an ongoing supporter of inclusive events and activities which promote child development and fun! Michael Rothacker, Board Member
As an attorney, advocate, and father of young children, Michael supports KFF programs and advises with policy development and the ethical practice of a non-profit. |
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