Charity spotlight: Ambassadors for Children

Talk about feeling like a million bucks.

An energetic 12-year-old boy, who was to re-enter foster care, recently stopped by Ambassadors for Children and its Kid’s Closet. Turned out, he had never worn new clothes before. That was, until he walked out of the dressing room at Ambassadors for Children – and, as a result, soon found inspiration in the arts.

“In the caseworker’s words, ‘He was 10 feet tall and bullet proof!’” said Denee Fay, Executive Director of Ambassadors for Children. “She snapped a picture of him on her phone, and he immediately asked, ‘Can I wear these home?’”

Ambassadors for Children really does go the extra mile, providing dresses for teens attending prom and other social events.
Ambassadors for Children really does go the extra mile, providing dresses for teens attending prom and other social events.

Such feel-good stories are all over the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, the annual PGA Web.com Tour stop in Springfield. The tournament has gifted almost $13 million to children’s charities in the past 26 years, and the PCCC is proud to have Ambassadors for Children on board again.

After all, you never know many lives you could truly touch. Ambassadors for Children supports kids affected by neglect and abuse by offering free clothes, hygiene and much more.

“Child abuse and neglect leaves a lasting impact on a child’s perspective of themselves,” Fay said. “We often see older siblings taking on the role of a parent to younger siblings. Ambassadors for Children is available to meet critical needs and provide opportunities for them to be kids again. A visit to the Kids’ Closet to receive clothing is only the first step to restore self-esteem.”

At Ambassadors for Children, helping kids affected by neglect and abuse is priority No. 1, Director Denee Fay says.
At Ambassadors for Children, helping kids affected by neglect and abuse is priority No. 1, Director Denee Fay says.

Fay went on.

“Our foster kiddos soon find out there is a world of possibility available to them beyond basic clothing and hygiene needs,” Fay added.

Such was the case of the 12-year-old boy. Ambassadors for Children not only provided new clothes but also a duffle Pack-A-Bag stuffed with hygiene items, a blanket and some art supplies.

Who knew the art supplies would have such an impact? He quickly started drawing detailed designs on the drawing pad and, his caseworker realizing his interest, enrolled the boy in art therapy. Soon, he was “finding his voice” through the arts.

“I would have never known he had an interest in art if that drawing pad had not been in his bag. There is no other way to say it. It was a God moment,” the caseworker wrote to Ambassadors for Children, which shared the story recently. “He was so struck by these new clothes and the difference in how he looked. We came back to the residential facility, and he was showing everyone his new clothes and camouflage bag. It made a huge impact on our staff who could see such a change in his confidence.”

Here’s how you can help:

SUPPORTING THE PCCC = SUPPORTING CHARITIES

  • BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses also can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the daily newsletter, website or through several events such as a dozen Pro-Ams. Businesses also can donate a gift card with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit them in the Golf Ball & Charity Auction presented by Copy Products, Inc. and University Plaza  .PCCC-fansguide
  • WIN A NEW TRUCK: The purchase of a $25 TLC Properties Charity Sweepstakes ticket can win one of 500 daily gift cards as well as grand prizes of $10,000 and a 2016 Ford F-150 XLT. It’s also good for a four-day tournament pass.Win this truck
  • SEE THE FUTURE OF THE PGA TOUR: The PCCC is from Aug. 5-15, with the pros beginning play on Aug. 11 at Highland Springs Country Club. For tickets or other ways to assist, call the Price Cutter Charity Championship staff at 417-887-3400. 

    Dawie vander Walt shows his winners trophy after the final round of the Price Cutter Charity Championship at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield on August 16, 2015.
    Dawie vander Walt won the 2016 PCCC (Photo courtesy of StidzMedia)
  • AMBASSADORS FOR CHILDREN: The organization provides quality services and support to foster families in Greene, Christian and Taney counties. Call their office at 417-708-0565.

Ambassadors for Children’s new clothes, tutors make an impact

At Ambassadors for Children, helping kids affected by neglect and abuse is priority No. 1, Director Denee Fay says.
At Ambassadors for Children, helping kids affected by neglect and abuse is priority No. 1, Director Denee Fay says.

He could have thrown his hands up in the air and walked away. That would have been the easy thing to do, after all the challenges he and his two younger siblings had endured. Their lives had meandered to foster care and removed from almost everything familiar.

However, in a wonderful reminder that you don’t just quit no matter life’s challenges, the oldest boy – all of 12 years old — sought assistance and showed leadership.

This is the story that Ambassadors for Children likes to share, and rightfully so. The boy arrived to the organization’s Kid’s Closet and picked out clothes for his siblings, remembering every detail – right down to their favorite colors. He even saved himself for last.

“Once everything was put into shopping bags, he asked how much it would cost. I responded, ‘It’s free and it’s yours to keep!” said Denee Fay, director of the Ambassadors for Children, which is dedicated to supporting kids affected by neglect and abuse. “His face lit up with the biggest smile. He wanted to carry all the shopping bags to the car on his own, continuing to prove himself as the most responsible big brother.”

Such stories fuel the success of the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper, a PGA Web.com Tour event that aids numerous children’s charities of the Ozarks.

This year, the tournament could eclipse the $12 million mark in total fundraising in the past 18 seasons. A year ago, the event hauled in a record $1 million-plus. And here’s your chance again to throw your support behind the Ambassadors for Children, a service agency of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks with a variety of programs.

SUPPORTING THE PCCC = SUPPORTING CHARITIES

  • HELP AMBASSADORS FOR CHILDREN: The organization provides quality services and support to foster families in Greene, Christian and Taney counties. Call their office at 417-708-0565.
  • FOR BUSINESSES: Restaurants, clothing stores and entertainment stops and others can donate a gift card with at least a $25 value in the name of your charity of choice to benefit them in the Golf Ball Charity Auction.
  • BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS: Businesses also can support the PCCC through various sponsorships, such as the daily newsletter, website or through several events such as a dozen Pro-Ams.
  • FOR GOLF FANS, WIN PRIZES: The purchase of a $25 ticket means a four-day pass to the PCCC on Aug. 13-16 at Highland Springs Country Club as well as daily chances to win gift cards from the local businesses. You’re also automatically entered to win a $10,000 prize and a 2015 Ford Mustang.
  • TICKET REVENUE GOES TO: Contact the local charity of your choice, simply because they receive revenue directly from those TLC Property Charity Sweepstakes tickets marked with their names.
  • KEY DATES: The tournament is scheduled Aug. 13-16 at Highland Springs Country Club. Check out our full schedule for events from mid-July through August.
  • CONTACTS: Call the Price Cutter Charity Championship staff at 417-887-3400.
Kids aided by Ambassadors for Children receive brand new clothing as well hygiene products and tutoring.
Kids aided by Ambassadors for Children receive brand new clothing as well hygiene products and tutoring.

About Ambassadors for Children

When the 12-year-old boy arrived to Ambassadors of Children, he was wearing baggy camouflage pants with holes and a large white shirt – the only clothes he owned. He also appointed himself responsible for the safety of his two younger siblings.

So, at the Kid’s Closet, he selected pink and purple clothing for his younger sister, and made it a point to find stuffed animals, winter coats and so forth. However, he saved himself for last and, at first, declined to take a winter coat because his figured an oversized sweatshirt would suffice.

Ambassadors for Children really does go the extra mile, providing dresses for teens attending prom and other social events.
Ambassadors for Children really goes the extra mile, providing dresses for prom and other social events.

“Child abuse and neglect leaves a lasting impact on a child’s perspective of themselves,” Fay said. “We often see older siblings taking on the role of a parent to younger siblings. Ambassadors for Children is available to meet critical needs and provide opportunities for them to be kids again. A visit to the Kids’ Closet to receive clothing is only the first step to restore self-esteem.”

Fay went on, emphasizing that the non-profit also provides tutors and a tutoring room.

“Our foster kiddos soon find out there is a world of possibility available to them beyond basic clothing and hygiene needs,” Fay added.

In most instances, the case manager applies for beds, mattresses, karate, ballet, swim lessons, summer camp, replacement eye glasses, graduation expenses and so forth.

The clothing in the Kid’s Closet is brand new, as Ambassadors for Children strives to build self-esteem through giving away new items to children who never have had such an opportunity. The sense of self-worth experienced by the kids, when they try on new clothes for the first time, is priceless.

“We are so appreciative of the Price Cutter Charity Championship because it has played a significant role in providing critical needs for foster children in our community,” Fay said. “Through their support, Ambassadors for Children is building self-esteem in abused and neglected children so they can be empowered with opportunities to lead a successful future, breaking the family cycle of abuse and neglect.”