History

Kenny Rogers Children's Center opened its doors in September of 1974 at the Sikeston Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled at One Plaza Drive in Sikeston. At that time it was called the Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid Counties United Cerebral Palsy Center.

When the Center opened, it was primarily due to the efforts of a mother of a child with cerebral palsy who needed physical therapy. There wasn’t a facility that provided the service locally. This mother took it upon herself to attend seminars, read pertinent information and talk with others to learn the basics needed to provide such services. As word spread, other families contacted her about services for their children with special needs as well. Out of that effort, the Scott-Mississippi-New Madrid Counties United Cerebral Palsy Center opened with five clients, one paid employee, two foster grandparents and several other volunteers. When it first opened, equipment for the Center was donated by women from the Heritage House, the Caproco Corporation, the Eagles Women’s Auxiliary, the Jaycee Wives, Murray Lane Baptist Church, Benton Head Start and others.

By 1976, the Center had grown considerably and was serving 23 children. This growth warranted a move. Through the help of the Sikeston Fraternal Order of the Eagles, their Auxiliary and other interested individuals, one year’s rent on a 30 by 60 foot building located at 510 East Center Street was donated.

In 1977, country music legend Kenny Rogers was the featured performer at the 25th annual Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo. He was so impressed with the services that were being delivered with very limited funding that he donated an Arabian stallion valued at $25,000 to the Center. The stallion was sold for $75,000. On February 19, 1978 Kenny teamed up with Dottie West for a benefit concert in Sikeston which netted a whopping $74,000. The Rogers-West duo returned in January of 1979 for a second benefit concert, which raised over $72,000. Mel Tillis followed in April of 1979 and the Gatlin Brothers in April of 1980 with very successful concerts which also benefited the Center.

Through the efforts of the Sikeston Jaycees in sponsoring these benefit concerts, the support of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and other interested parties from throughout the area, construction of Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center of Southeast Missouri was completed in June of 1979 at a total cost of $325,000. The facility was accredited by the State of Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in February 1980.

Over the years, the Center has continued to grow, not only in size, but in scope as well. In January of 2000, the organization changed its name to Kenny Rogers Children's Center. One of the primary reasons for the name change was that today the Center serves not only children with Cerebral Palsy, but children with all types of special needs, including, but not limited to Down Syndrome, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Autism, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Seizure Disorder, ADHD, as well as numerous other syndromes.

Today, the Center serves nearly 300 children with special needs from birth through 21 years of age at no cost to the families involved. Services provided include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. The staff is comprised of physical therapists, a physical therapist assistant, occupational therapists, an occupational therapist assistant, speech and language pathologists, secretary/receptionist, an office manager and an executive director.

The Center secures it’s funding from fee-for-service payments from area school districts, including Advance, Bell City, Charleston, Delta, East Prairie, Kelly, Kelso, New Madrid, Puxico, Richland, Oran, Scott County Central, Sikeston and Scott City. Fee-for-service payments are also received from private insurance companies, Medicaid and local SB40 Boards. However, these funds are far from adequate to meet the Center’s overall financial needs. The Center raises funds through two primary fund raising events: the annual Telethon and Charity Walk. Both events not only involve, but are largely dependent, upon hundreds of volunteers who donate time, energy, talent, equipment and money to ensure the Center’s continued success.

Kenny Rogers Children's Center's vision is to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs. These children have taught us that the human spirit can never be measured by the eye, only by the heart. Over the years, the Center has literally helped thousands of children with special needs attend public school, function more independently, and gain the confidence they need to lead more active and productive lives. And after all, that's what making a difference is all about!