CCVI Trolley Run

For nearly 70 years, the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired has been preparing blind and visually impaired children for success in the sighted world. Trolley Run is the largest annual fundraiser for CCVI. All funds raised from the race go toward critical programming at the center. Donations from the Trolley Run are critical to our success.

OUR MISSION

To prepare children with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities, to reach their highest potential in the sighted world.

Did You Know?

More than 85 percent of what a child learns before the age of five is through vision and incidental learning. Vision provides the motivation to explore one’s environment and to understand one’s position in space, and it is an important avenue of sensation for the acquisition of speech and language. 

Who We Run For

Since 1952, the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired has provided comprehensive programming for blind and visually impaired children, including those with multiple disabilities - from birth through school age - with highly-specialized instruction, therapies, and family education.

Located in the heart of Kansas City, CCVI operates from the state-of-the-art Children’s Center Campus. The facility, uniquely adapted and customized to safely provide worldly experiences to children with visual impairments, hosts the CCVI Center-Based Program, an onsite nursing staff, therapeutic professionals, and an aquatic center.

When a child participates in an Orientation and Mobility session at the Children’s Center Campus, they exist in an environment specifically designed to provide them with locators and experiences. For example, by speaking out loud, a student can listen for the echoes in the main hallway. They can exit through the accessible doors and take a walk with their specialist outside to practice crossing the street safely. Historically, children have even been able to access the KCMO public transportation system with their instructor to learn self-sufficient behaviors.

Within the walls of CCVI, children can grow, thrive, and learn together.

As one of only seven schools in the country who serve children, birth to school age, who are blind or visually impaired, we know our presence in Kansas City makes a difference in many lives. Some families drive more than 100 miles for our services. We strive to help all children who need our services, but this does not come without a cost. The average cost to educate a child at CCVI is $40,000, and all of our students receive financial assistance.

Overview

The 35th annual CCVI Trolley Run will return on April 30, 2023. One of Kansas City’s oldest and most popular races, the Trolley Run is also the largest annual fundraiser for Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. The iconic 4-mile route starts at 75th & Wornall in Waldo, travels through Brookside and concludes on the Country Club Plaza with After Bash – our signature finish line festival! 

We are looking for sponsors and donors to provide post-race food, beverages and/or activities for our 5,000+ participants. 

As an After Bash sponsor at the event, you’ll be provided with a designated booth space, tent, table, and chairs, and will be listed on the event website, receive a social media shoutout, exclusive recognition during event remarks, and can include an offer in our electronic race bag that will be sent to all participants the day of the race. After Bash sponsorships start at $500.

As an After Bash donor, you can contribute goods to be distributed to race participants by Trolley Run volunteers. In-kind donation receipts are available for your contribution and we will recognize you in our After Bash thank you post on social media and during event remarks. Contact trolleyrun@ccvi.org to share your donation! 

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