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TOPSoccer Saint Charles Shares MO Better's Mission to Help Enhance the Lives of Missourians Living with Disabilities
SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE. We recently had the good fortunate to meet with Erik Reese founder of TOPSoccer Saint Charles, Missouri and get to know more about his start-up nonprofit and their important mission to provides people with diverse abilities an opportunity to play soccer in a structured environment that is safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive.
TOPSoccer (The Outreach Program for Soccer) is a nation-wide recreational sports program for children and adults with intellectual, emotional, or physical disabilities offered only through local US Youth Soccer-affiliated soccer clubs.
TOPSoccer Saint Charles, started in the St. Charles area a few months ago by Erik with the support of his fiancé and family members as a way to give back, is the local affiliate and is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run organization. Erik, PT, DPT, is a pediatric physical therapist at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
We were so blown away by Erik and the mission of organization, which mirrors ours, we are committing funds to help the organization grow. More details later.
Thank You for Caring!
Donations like these are only possible with your continued support. For more information on how you can help MO Better Foundation help even more organizations, visit https://MOBetterGiving.givesmart.com
For information on St Louis HELP, visit https://www.stlhelp.org/
Your Donations at Work
Following our 2023 "Indulge" Gala, we immediately put YOUR donations to work in many ways including supporting an organization -- Steps Of Faith Foundation -- that shares our important Mission to help make life "more better" for those living with disabilities.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Steps of Faith is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prosthetic care, hope, and comfort to amputees needing financial support. It helps uninsured and underinsured amputees get the prosthetic limbs they need to restore mobility and restore possibilities. We are happy to support -- with YOUR help.
For more information about Steps of faith, visit https://www.stepsoffaithfoundation.org/
For information on ways to help MO Better Foundation, email dave@mobetter.org or visit www.mobetter.org
YOUR DONATIONS TRULY HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We were recently alerted by an Occupational Therapist working with a young woman in St. Louis living with Multiple Sclerosis. The woman, a home owner, was looking for assistance with the purchase and installation of smart home devices.
We agreed to help and reached out to our Home Modification Partner at Neighborly of St. Louis. They immediately connected us to their team from Mr. Electric of St. Louis. Yesterday the crew went to the home and after assessing the woman’s needs, began installing several smart devices. The woman was “ecstatic” and reported that for the first time she feels truly independent and safe in her home! She promised pictures and videos, which we will share here!
This could not have possible without the support of the generous of a caring and giving community — many of you reading this — who share in our mission to help make life “more better” for Missourians living with physical disabilities, THANK YOU!!
We are VERY pleased to announce that Neighborly of St. Louis has been named a preferred vendor for MO Better Foundation as part of our Home Modification Program. Neighborly of St. Louis is a hub for home services that offers premier residential plumbing, heating & cooling and electrical services to the St. Louis & surrounding area through Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Mr. Electric of St. Louis. Air Serve of St. Louis, Property Medic STL, as well as, Kirkwood Plumbing and Eureka Heating and Cooling.
MO Better Foundation Preferred Vendors are businesses, manufacturers and re-sellers that have a knowledge of and share in our mission. Each have agreed to best practices to meet the needs of the community we serve and to help make life “more better” for Missourians living with disabilities.
Modifications can include the physical structure of home like lowering countertop height, using ramps instead of steps, chair lifts instead of stairs, accessible bathrooms and free-standing showers. It can also include the installation of smart home devices that allow an individual to turn on lights without having to touch a switch, answer the front door from a bedroom, and tweak your thermostat with a simple voice command. Less extensive items can include grip-friendly doorknobs, switches, non-slip flooring, door push bars, transfer benches, modified shelving, modified faucets, modified wall sockets, and bathroom grab bars.
For more information or to become a MO Better Preferred Vendor or donor, contact David Welborn at dave@mobetter.org
MO Better Foundation is excited to announce the creation of a COMMUNITY ENGAGMENT COMMITTEE (CEC), a team of volunteers throughout the state with a vast array of life experience dedicated to helping grow the Foundation's mission. Members will leverage their life experiences (personal and professional) and help boost awareness among professionals, civic organizations, and other groups by representing MO Better Foundation through social media and in-person interactions and presentations.
Jacob Layman, of St. Charles, MO, a longtime MO Better Foundation volunteer, will spearhead the group.
"This strong network of dedicated individuals will assist us in communicating our very important mission," said David Welborn, MO Better Foundation Founder & Executive Director. "The goal of the group is to build awareness and help inspire more individuals to get involved and create a stream of income from special events, corporate gifts and more so that we can help even more kids and adults in Missouri living with physical disabilities live life "more better."
"We are also very excited to have Jacob Layman volunteer to serve as our CEC president," Welborn. "Jake is a MO Better Friend and member of the St. Charles Jaycees. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in logistics working for years in retail," Welborn said. "Jake is extremely dedicated, and brings with him a great wok ethic," Welborn added. "We are fortunate to have him head this important committee," he added. Originally from Eau Claire Michigan, Jake studied Social Sciences at Southwestern Michigan College. He and his wife Katie Layman, reside in St. Charles, MO.
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Community Engagement Committee Qualifications/Responsibilities:
Articulate, outgoing individuals with the ability to inspire others will help educate the community about MO Better Foundation by participating in speaking engagements, fundraising events, making presentations to interested groups, tabling at events, and distributing information/collateral throughout the community.
For more information or to join, contact Dave Welborn at dave@mobetter.org