Capper Foundation

For as long as I can remember, I’ve poked fun at all the “It’s for the children” speeches we hear from politicians around election time. Well last Wednesday I had the honor of meeting two wonderful ladies named Pam Walstrom and Julie Smrha. They help run a facility that truly is for the children. And it’s for the children every day, every week, of every year. Not just around election time. It’s a facility whose mission is to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, primarily children. I’m talking about a facility named The Capper Foundation.
The Capper Foundation is a result of one man’s life-long commitment to helping children. His name was Arthur Capper. Some of you might have heard of him, he was a two term Governor (1914-1919) and five term Senator (1919-1949) of Kansas. Before he ever held public office he was a successful businessman here in Topeka. He owned Newspapers, a Publishing Company and two radio stations. Starting in 1908 he sponsored what would become an annual summer celebration around the 4th of July for disadvantaged, area kids. This annual celebration lasted until 1951 when the flood forced it’s cancellation. In the meantime Capper, along with other local businessmen would send a car load of candy and toys out to disadvantaged kids on Christmas morning. A man named Con Van Natta who was the foreman of Capper’s Publishing Company was in charge of distributing the toys, he would report back to Capper and the others about how it went. They were always looking for ways to make the children’s Christmas mornings a little better. This went on for several years until 1920, Con made his Christmas deliveries as usual. Like always Con reported back to Capper. But this year he told the Senator a story of how in the race to see what Santa had brought, because of the cumbersome crutches and wheelchairs the crippled kids were always outdistanced by other youngsters and weren’t able to get to the best toys. He also reported that many of the crippled children seemed to be getting worse. Most of the parents couldn’t afford to get them the help they so desperately needed.
This was a turning point for Arthur Capper. He likened the race for Santa with the race for life. He knew they needed more than candy and toys on Christmas morning. He knew they needed doctors, nurses, and in some cases they needed surgeons. He turned to his trusted friend, Con, and told him he was supremely qualified to make this happen. He instructed Con to stop by his business manager to get whatever money he thought it would take and start the process tonight.
That Christmas night, eighty seven years ago the Capper Foundation was set into motion. Today the Capper Foundation helps up to 2,000 children per year. Because of the advances in medical technology they can offer services Arthur Capper could never have imagined. They offer services such as Pediatric Therapy, Communications Services, Therapeutic Recreation services, Aquatic Exercises, and Autism Disorder Services.
But now they need some help. They need my help and they need your help. All these services come at a cost. If you could find it in your heart to reach out, write a check for whatever amount you feel comfortable with you could help make a difference in a child’s life. You can visit their website at www.capper.easterseals.com to find out more about them or if you’d like, you can call either Pam or Julie at (785-272-4060.) They’d be delighted to hear from you.
There’s nothing more important than taking care of our children. Arthur Capper understood this and I believe he’d be pleased to see what his Foundation has become.
Kevin McGinty can be reached at: kevinmcginty@sbcglobal.net