Kaylee’s Kid’z was born from love, loss, and an idea that started with Kaylee herself.

While lying in a hospital bed on 7 South at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Kaylee had an idea. She wanted to do something for the other children around her—kids who, just like her, were facing some of the hardest and most uncertain days of their lives.

That idea stayed with us.

Kaylee’s Kid’z Inc. was created in memory of Kaylee, a beautiful, strong, one-of-a-kind young woman whose battle with osteosarcoma forever changed our family and our lives.

Throughout Kaylee’s journey, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital became much more than a hospital to our family. It became a place filled with people who cared for Kaylee, stood beside us during some of our hardest days, and showed us just how important the smallest moments of comfort can be when a child and family are facing the unimaginable.

After losing Kaylee on September 11, 2023, we knew her story—and that idea she had from her hospital bed—couldn't simply end there.

So we took her idea and turned it into a mission.

Today, Kaylee’s Kid’z Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing comfort, creativity, hope, and smiles to children and families facing cancer, blood disorders, and other serious illnesses.

Through the generosity of our community, local businesses, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters, we collect and purchase arts and crafts supplies, infant toys, and other important items requested by the hospital.

These aren't just supplies.

They can provide a distraction during a difficult treatment, give a child an opportunity to create and use their imagination, bring a smile during a hard day, or simply help make a hospital room feel a little less frightening.

More Than Fundraisers

One of the things that makes Kaylee’s Kid’z so special is the community that has grown around Kaylee’s mission.

Since beginning this journey, we have held two annual Kaylee’s Kid’z Charity Golf Tournaments, brought our community together for Kaylee’s Memorial Ride and Poker Runs, and we are now expanding that tradition with our first Kaylee’s Kid’z Charity Clay Shoot.

Different events. Different people. Different ways to get involved.

But every one of them has the same purpose: to help us FILL THE TRUCK.

Throughout the year, our fundraisers, donation drives, community events, sponsorships, and donation boxes help us collect the supplies and raise the funds needed to purchase items for the children and families at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

And then comes the day that brings everything full circle.

Every year on September 11, we return to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for our annual Delivery Day.

With the support of our community and our partners, that truck arrives filled with arts and crafts supplies, infant toys, and other much-needed items—all collected because people throughout our community decided to become a part of Kaylee’s mission.

For us, “Fill the Truck” is about much more than filling a truck with supplies.

It represents every golfer who registered for a tournament. Every rider who joined a Memorial Ride. Every person who played a hand in a Poker Run. Every team that steps up to participate in our Clay Shoot. Every business that sponsors an event or hosts a donation box. Every volunteer who gives their time. And every person who purchases one simple item because they want to help a child they may never meet.

Every one of those people helps fill that truck.

And when those doors open at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, what comes out represents an entire community standing behind children and families during some of the most difficult days of their lives.

What began as an idea from a young woman lying in a hospital bed on 7 South has grown into something bigger than we could have imagined.

But no matter how much Kaylee’s Kid’z grows, we will never forget where it started—or why we do it.

Everything carries a piece of Kaylee with it.

Every event. Every donation box. Every fundraiser. Every volunteer. Every truckload of supplies.

And most importantly, every smile.

We cannot change what these children and families are facing.

But together, we can bring a little light during a time of so much uncertainty.

It started with Kaylee’s idea.

Today, it is our mission.

And together, we will continue to FILL THE TRUCK.

That is Kaylee’s Kid’z.