While Kelly Meissner’s two-year-old daughter Kate has spent much of the past year in the media spotlight, earlier this week it was Kelly’s turn to receive some recognition. Meissner was named one of the women of the year in the community service category of the annual K-W Oktoberfest Rogers Women of the Year gala held at the Waterloo Inn on Tuesday night.
She was recognized for her efforts to build an all-inclusive playground for her daughter, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome last year, through her charity Kate’s Kause.
“It’s kind of humbling,” said Meissner, one of the eight Women of the Year in the region. “There are so many great things going on out there and when I read through the program and looked at the bios, I looked at my husband and said ‘there is no way I have a chance.’”
The selection committee selected Meissner because of her hard work to try and raise funds for a playground in Elmira for children with disabilities. In just one year, the family has collected nearly $180,000 in cash and in-kind donations to put towards the playground.
From golf tournaments to a benefit dance and Christmas chocolate drive, the Meissners have tried just about everything to spread the word not only about Kate’s Kause, but about Angelman Syndrome in general.
The disorder affects only about one in 15,000 people, and those with AS, or “Angels” as they are sometimes called, can have little or no verbal skills, poor gross and fine motor skills, and possible seizures and sleep disorders. They do, however, have a very happy demeanor.
In total the charity needs about $250,000 to make their dream a reality, and the cause has attracted some national and international attention.
In June they were one of 40 community projects to receive a $25,000 grant through the Keg restaurant’s 40th anniversary Thanks A Million promotion, and they also received $10,000 worth of playground equipment from Minnesota-based Landscape Structures for being runners-up in their Together We Play promotion.
They also received $50,000 in playground programming from Shanes Inspiration, a California-based playground company specializing in equipment for kids of all abilities.
“They organize programming at the park itself, so they show people how to use the park and how to interact,” said Meissner. “I think that one of the things I worry about is what if people just think it’s a park for disabled children, but it’s not, it’s a park for everyone,” she added about the playground she wants to build in Elmira.
Now, Kate’s Kause is in the running for the Aviva Community Fund, which will donate a total of $1,000,000 to various community projects throughout the country based on the number of votes they receive. Round one of votes ends Oct. 19 and the final winners are announced in January.
To vote for Kate’s Kause, visit www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/view/10972 to cast your vote once a day.
“I think they’re looking for something that is already up and going, and I hope that means we have a chance because this park is going to happen,” said Meissner. “It’s not just an idea.”
