Hi Lisa,

After a weekend and then a week of snow, and sleet, freezing rain, and rain...it's spring in Ontario! Like you, I'm eager to invite the better weather to stay so children and families can practice the active skills they're learning in bike clinics and physical literacy programs across our KidsAbility locations and with our partnering community supporters. You'll be hearing more about some of these unique programs in an upcoming email I'll send in May.

In this Connections edition, I have so much KidsAbility news to share – including the results of our Plasma Car Races plus exciting news about our Rocket Discovery Centre, which is accelerating research and innovation in children’s rehabilitation to reduce wait times for therapy, remove barriers to access, and improve quality of care.

Our work is possible thanks to you and your shared belief that every child deserves the therapy support they need to thrive. In each story you read, it's always my hope that you'll see the incredible impact you make possible as a dear friend of KidsAbility.

I'll be back in your inbox next month!

Warmly,

P.S. We've made improvements to how you receive the stories, news and updates that matter to you, straight to your inbox! Before you read further, please add your email address for uninterrupted delivery of Connections!

Over 100 corporate teams, volunteers and event sponsors came together on March 5 to deliver #SpeedForNeed success in the 2025 KidsAbility Plasma Car Races. Read how friendly competition can create the biggest impact when it's all to create possibilities for kids. Keep reading. 

Find out how community supporters like PEER Group fuel our work in many ways –including most recently in our 2025 Plasma Car Races. Keep reading.

- Rachel, mom to Rhys

Do you know a high school graduate who is a current KidsAbility alumni planning their future in college, university or trade school? The Carol Shantz Bursary Award is their chance to receive a minimum of $1,000 of financial aid toward their post-secondary journey! The application date has been extended until Monday, May 5, 2025. Take me to the nomination form.

A: We're glad you asked! I've heard from others who want to align their shopping habits with local business supporters who have made KidsAbility their charity of choice.

In response, we've launched Shop & Support - a dedicated webpage where you can shop our supporters to turn your everyday shopping needs into a powerful way to make an impact for local kids!

Just shop, support and make an impact with these businesses!

And, if you are a business looking to make a difference, check out how you can partner with us to turn your product into a force for good!

Rocket Discovery Centre honoured with Innovation Award: Recognition from the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce at their 2025 Business Excellence Gala highlighted our work. Keep reading.

Rocket Discovery Centre success at McMaster Child Health Research Day brings together researchers and clinicians in knowledge-sharing forum. Take me there!

Hot cross buns that make giving back taste great! $2 from every 6-pack purchase supports KidsAbility. Only at COBS Bread Fairway, COBS Bread Blackstone, COBS Bread Boardwalk and only on Saturday, April 5!

Smile! Let your oral hygiene care support KidsAbility. For the entire month of April, 10% of all oral hygiene services will be donated to KidsAbility – giving you even more reasons to smile! Learn more.

$2, two charities, and a whole lot to smile about! Tims Smile Cookies are back! From April 28 - May 4, get your $2 Smile Cookie at participating Kitchener-Waterloo stores and give miles of smiles to kids with 100% proceeds equally supporting the work of KidsAbility and Nutrition for Learning!

When you make a donation to our fundraisers, take part in community events and purchase from local business partners who give back, it's a win-win for kids and their families.

Do you have a story to share? Do you know a past or current KidsAbility client or a family who would like to share their story? We'd love to hear from you. Simply email me with your subject line, "I have a story."



If you have feedback you’d like to share, I welcome your thoughts and ideas. Thanks for taking time to read this edition of Connections.



Lisa Talbot, Executive Director, KidsAbility Foundation