October 2026
IMPACT REPORT
OUR MISSION: Empowering children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their individual potential.
A Message from the CEO There's so much to celebrate at Lakemary! From another successful Golf Classic to the dedication of Ursuline Legacy Park and the excitement of the upcoming holiday season, we're reflecting on the many moments that make Lakemary special. Watch a special message from CEO Teddi Hernandez as she shares what's been happening at Lakemary!
WATCH THE VIDEO
With heartfelt appreciation,
TEDDI HERNANDEZ President & CEO
Ursuline Legacy
PARK
Dedication On September 24, 2026, Lakemary Center celebrated a meaningful milestone with the dedication of the Ursuline Legacy Park on our Paola campus. Created to honor the Ursuline Sisters of Paola, the park is a lasting tribute to the vision and compassion that helped lay the foundation for Lakemary in 1969. Nearly 100 guests gathered for the dedication, which included a ribbon cutting, special remarks from Sister Pat Lynch, former Lakemary CEO Kirk Davis and a blessing from Father Thomas Maddock of Holy Angels/St. John’s. The Ursuline Legacy Park was made possible through the generosity of donors, community partners and friends who believed in creating a space that honors where Lakemary began while looking toward where we are going. We are grateful to Joan Horan, Carolyn Jacobs, First Option Bank, Doherty Steel Inc., The Grounds Guys of Olathe, CAL Construction and all who helped make this vision a reality. The park will continue to grow alongside Lakemary, creating a lasting place to gather, reflect and remember the legacy that started it all. Help us continue to grow the Ursuline Legacy Park and preserve this special piece of Lakemary’s history for generations to come.
Special Olympics Lakemary athletes have been busy competing, connecting and showing their skills through Kansas Special Olympics!
Bowling
Softball
Nine athletes took the field for softball and brough home first palce at the SOKS Metro Regional Tournament. A Lakemary fan favorite, bowling, had 46 athletes who competed in both the regional tournament and the SOKS State Tournament. And they're not slowing down!
WHAT’S NEXT... November 13 - State Volleyball November 18 - Special Olympics Kansas Art show https://soks.org/event/art-show/
We are proud of our Lakemary Star Athletes and can’t wait to continue to cheer them on!
It Takes a Community At Lakemary, meaningful impact doesn’t happen alone. It takes a community willing to give their time, share their expertise, and provide support.
with Inclusion Connections. We are grateful to Inclusion Connections, our panelists and event sponsors for sharing their expertise, generosity and support as we worked together to encourage more inclusive workplaces.
Volunteers from Enterprise Bank & Trust branches across the Kansas City area joined us for our Annual Adult Residential Family Picnic, a longstanding Lakemary tradition bringing together the adults we support, their families and our team for a day of connection and fun.
From donors and sponsors to volunteers and community partners, each plays an important role in moving Lakemary’s mission forward. It truly takes a community—and we are grateful to have you as part of ours.
That same spirit of community was at the heart of Opening Doors: Inclusive Jobs for Adults with IDD, presented in partnership
Family Picnic
Want to learn more about volunteer opportunities? Contact madision.mcguire@lakemary.org
Pictured: Panel Members- Laurie Minard (Garmin), Mike Jecker (Lakemary), Katie Pine (PawsAbilities), Karen Morris (Sweet Tee’s Coffee Shop), Mackenzie Carnes (Inclusion Connections), Tracy Price (Lakamary), Whit Downing (KCDD)
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Lakemary Golf Classic with Will Sheilds Our 42nd Annual Lakemary Golf Clasic was another great success! Held on Monday, October 12, at Shadow Glen Golf Club, we were excited to welcome several new sponsors alongside so many returning supporters who continue to make this event possible year after year. The day was filled with both fun on and off the course, including exciting raffles
featuring a golf cart generously donated by RMI Golf Carts and a TaylorMade golf equitment bundle. We are grateful to our sponsors, donors, golfers, and volunteers for making Lakemary’s largest annual fundraiser a success and supporting the children and adults we serve! Congratulations to our winning foursome team— MarksNelson Save the Date! Mark your calendars for Monday, October 11, 2027, as we look forward to another great day on the green!
Building with Purpose: A New Pergola for Lakemary At Lakemary, every project—big or small—has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. After learning about a need at one of our Paola residential homes during Boots & Bowties, Straub Construction stepped up to help. Their team of interns took on the project, demolishing the existing pergola and rebuilding a new space for the adults we support to enjoy. What started as a needed improvement became a welcoming outdoor space that can be enjoyed for years to come. We are grateful to Straub Construction and their interns for sharing their talents, time and resources with Lakemary.
Back to School Bash 2026 Lakemary School kicked off another school year with our annual Back to School Bash, bringing students and staff together to celebrate the year ahead! This year, Lakemary School welcomes 71 students from communities across Kansas and beyond. As an accredited K–12 school, Lakemary provides specialized education and individualized support to help students of all ages learn, grow and work toward their individual potential. Through hands-on learning experiences and specialized programs like Lakemary Ranch and the Discovery Center, students have opportunities to explore new interests, develop important skills and discover what they're capable of achieving. A new school year means new opportunities, new milestones and plenty to celebrate along the way. And before we know it, we’ll be celebrating another Lakemary graduating class!
Meet our Business Development Team! This year marks an exciting new chapter for Lakemary’s Development Department as we welcome a new team dedicated to strengthening relationships, expanding community partnerships, and advancing our mission. With fresh perspectives, renewed energy, and a shared passion for making a difference, the team is focused on building meaningful connections with donors, businesses, volunteers, and community supporters. Leading the team is Sarah Thomas, Senior Director of Development, who previously served as Senior Director of Admissions for Lakemary's Children's Program. Sally Beyers continues her work in grants, helping secure funding for Lakemary's programs and services. Joining them are Dawn Owens, Sheila Lickteig and Madison (Mae) McGuire. Dawn, with her years of philanthropic work, will focus on strengthening Lakemary’s relationships with community foundations and identify additional grant opportunities. Sheila’s background in senior living leadership will play an important role in fostering meaningful donor relationships, strengthening connections with longtime supporters, and warmly welcoming new friends. Mae, who previously served as an Ignite Mentor in our Children's Program, will lead our volunteer program working to create new opportunities for community partnerships and involvement. Together, they look forward to growing opportunities, inspiring generosity, and creating an even greater impact for the individuals and families we support.
Pictured: Mae McGuire, Sheila Lickteig, Sally Beyers, Sarah Thomas, and Dawn Owens
Oh, the
Places WeGo! From new adventures to favoritate local spots, there’s always somewhere to go and something to experience at Lakemary! Community outings give the children and adults we support opportunities to explore new places, build independence, spend time with friends and simply have fun. These experiences are part of what it means to Give Great Days—creating opportunities to connect, explore, and be part of the community around us.
CHIEFS TRAINING CAMP
OLD DEPOT MUSEUM
COMICS & COFFEE
FISHING TRIPS
EXPLORE
CONNECT GROW BELON G
POWELL PUMPKIN PATCH
LIBRARY TRIPS
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
MOVIE THEATER VISITS
DISABILITY MENTORING DAY AT MNU
PUMPKIN CARVING
Great days happen everywhere! As we head into the holiday season, we can't wait to see all the festive fun, special outings and new memories ahead for the children and adults we support! Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, opportunities to explore, connect and create Great Days continue all year long.
Lakemary Executive Team Teddi Hernandez President and Chief Executive Officer Janet Broll Chief Operating Officer Jean Hoyt, LSCSW, RPT-S Chief Program Officer, Children Services Brent Kaempfe Chief Employee Relations Officer Tracy Price Chief Program Officer, Adult Services Alex Valverde II Chief Financial Officer
OUR VISION: Creating a world of inclusion and acceptance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Lakemary Board of Directors Molly Meek: Chair Tim Lang: Vice Chair Barry Fink: Secretary Jeff Aberdeen: Treasurer Dr. William Craig Chance Doherty Lonnie King
Lakemary Corporate Headquarters 15145 S. Keeler St Olathe, KS 66062
Nancy Lusk Lydia Marien Vance McMillan Harold Mitts, Jr.
Phone: 913.557.4000 Website: Lakemary.org
Dr. Michael Proffitt Mike Sanders Jene Vickrey Gary Weinberg