While most teenagers spend their free time on the phone or online, a 13 year old Karnes County girl is out knocking on doors…raising money for critically and chronically ill children and their families.
Kali Jo Dragon started fund raising for Any Baby Can ten years ago when she was barely beyond a toddler.
"She ran for the Hermann Sons "Kinder Kourt" in San Antonio," said her mother Susan. Children collected money for Any Baby Can, with each quarter counting for a vote. Kali Jo was a duchess in the court for two years and princess once. When Hermann Sons was no longer associated with Any Baby Can, Kali Jo wanted to continue raising money.
"I just really like helping these children and their families," Kali Jo said. "I get to meet so many wonderful people and each year I get to attend the Any Baby Can Doll luncheon and present the money I've raised," the teen told me.
Each year, Any Baby Can commissions 85 dolls made by a local doll maker in the likeness of one of the children ABC assists. The dolls are "adopted" by people and organizations who contribute $1000 or more to ABC.
This year's doll is in the likeness of 5 year old Samantha Lynn Cordova. The little girl, born with multiple health problems, loves fairy tales. Her parents call her Princess and this year's doll wears a tiara. The Samantha Lynn doll also has a trachea just like the little girl after whom she is modeled. Doctors told Samantha Lynn's parents their daughter would most likely not survive, but if she did, she would never walk or talk. Today as she approaches her sixth birthday, Samantha Lynn walks and not only talks, she sings. "Any Baby Can helped us in so many ways," said her father Abe Cordova. "Anything we needed, they were there for us."
This year Any Baby Can is there for more families than ever. While it historically has served 900 families a year, this year that number jumped to 1200. And with so many struggling in the current economy, more families are needing financial assistance. "In the past, about 65% of our families have needed help paying medical bills and other expenses," said Dawn Dixon, executive director of Any Baby Can. "This year 90% of our families need financial help," she said.
This year's Adopt A Doll Luncheon raised $100,000 for the many programs of Any Baby Can. Big local corporate names like Valero, Broadway Bank and Frost Bank contributed a thousand dollars each. Along with those businesses and organizations like the Lyons Club and the Blue Birds of Methodist Hospital, young Kali Jo Dragon received her Samantha Lynn Doll. Kali Jo's goal is to raise more money each year and in 2010 she raised $2000. She did it by carrying a poster asking for donations throughout her neighborhood in Panna Maria, at her middle school, Falls City School and going to local businesses in Karnes and Wilson County.
I've been involved with Any Baby Can since 1987. I've served on the Alliance Board and have been the honorary chair for the Adopt A Doll luncheon since it began 22 years ago. I missed the 2007 luncheon when my daughter graduated from college, but I've been at every other luncheon. I've watched Kali Jo grow up from a precious child to a lovely young teenager with a loving heart. This year Kali adopted her ninth doll. The former Kinder Kourt Princess took home her Princess Samantha Doll. In this true fairy tale, Kali Jo Dragon plays the part of a beautiful knight.
