Gallery of Gratitude

The text and photos in this infographic are provided in article form elsewhere on this page.

Each year, Kennedy Krieger hosts a variety of informational, fun and fundraising events. These events help us spread the word about the Institute’s work and expertise to the wider community, and are opportunities for networking, sponsor brand promotion, corporate team engagement and fun. If you supported or participated in one or more of these events, THANK YOU!

ROAR for Kids: The 20th annual ROAR for Kids took place on April 20, 2024, at a new location—The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore—and featured a finish-line festival, local mascots and lots of family fun. More than 1,700 registrants helped raise more than $190,000 in support of 20 Institute programs and initiatives.

Hats & Horses: The eighth annual Hats & Horses event raised more than $385,000 toward the creation of an interdisciplinary clinic at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Development and Learning. The clinic will offer patients and their families comprehensive evaluations by a psychologist and a neurodevelopmental medicine specialist in a single visit. More than 300 guests enjoyed this signature Derby-themed event on May 3, 2024, at the M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center.

CASSITM Charity Golf Outing: The third annual CASSI Charity Golf Outing took place on Aug. 5, 2024, and brought together 120 golfers and 10 novice golfers at the Country Club of Maryland. The event raised over $55,000 for the Institute’s Center for Autism Services, Science and Innovation (CASSI), which served more than 7,000 patients and their families in 2024.

Paralympic Games: On Aug. 28, 2024, the Kennedy Krieger community gathered at Liberatore’s in Timonium for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games, happy to cheer on four adaptive athletes who got their start through the Institute’s Bennett Blazers youth sports program. Track athlete Daniel Romanchuk earned gold and bronze medals at the games, while Tatyana McFadden, also a track athlete, earned silver and bronze medals. Taylor Winnett competed in swimming, and Noah Hanssen competed in fencing.

Barrels & Bonfires: The sold-out 2024 Barrels & Bonfires event on Nov. 1 welcomed over 200 guests, a third of whom were first-time Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) event attendees and young professionals, to the pastoral setting at Farmacy Brewing in Reisterstown. Together, generous supporters and sponsors raised over $40,000 for an exciting initiative between Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland® and the Child Life and Recreation Therapies Department at Kennedy Krieger. The two have partnered to create much-needed therapeutic programming for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore while their children are receiving care at medical centers across the city, including Kennedy Krieger.

Festival of Trees: Kennedy Krieger Institute’s beloved Festival of Trees marked its 35th anniversary with a spectacular three-day celebration from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2024, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Over 600 beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses were displayed, showcasing the creativity of local businesses, community groups and individuals, and kicking off the holiday season. Since it began in 1990, the Festival of Trees has welcomed more than one million visitors and raised more than $28 million for the Institute.

Join Us at These Upcoming Events!

Visit our Events Calendar for more information about upcoming events.