The Shadow Buddies Foundation

Big smiles all around as Sporting Kansas City’s mascot joins in with some incredible young fans, each holding their Shadow Buddy close. Moments like these remind us that courage, comfort, and connection can show up in the smallest hands and the biggest hearts 💙⚽️

Sporting KC
Shadow Buddies Foundation

💙 Intern Spotlight: Mackenzie 💙

This week, we're excited to highlight one of our amazing summer interns, Mackenzie!

Mackenzie is the granddaughter of Shadow Buddies founder Marty Postlethwait and the daughter of Mallory Smith. As she prepares to enter her senior year at Gardner Edgerton High School, she is already looking ahead to a future studying law.

Having grown up alongside Shadow Buddies, Mackenzie has always felt a strong connection to our mission of providing comfort, support, and joy to children facing medical challenges. For the past three summers, she has served as an intern with the Foundation, overseeing our Summer Backpack Program.

Mackenzie carefully packs each backpack with fun activities, games, and fidgets that are delivered to campers, helping bring smiles and encouragement throughout their camp experience.

When asked what she enjoys most, Mackenzie shared that she loves bringing joy and making a difference for children in her community.

Thank you, Mackenzie, for your dedication, compassion, and hard work. We are grateful to have you as part of the Shadow Buddies family! 💙✨

Join us for a fun night of pickleball, friendly competition, and fundraising for a great cause at Chicken N Pickle Overland Park!

📅 Wednesday, July 22, 2026
⏰ 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Grab your team and get ready for an unforgettable evening on the courts—all in support of the Shadow Buddies Foundation 💙

Visit our website to register your team and join the fun!

KC Non-Profit
KC Pickleball Tounramnent

🏁💙 Thank You, Under Dawgs! 💙🏁

A huge THANK YOU to the Under Dawgs team, Jay Dee Krull and his daughter Brianna Krull, for supporting Shadow Buddies Foundation during this year's One Lap of America!

Through their passion for racing and their commitment to giving back, they raised an incredible $800 to help us continue delivering comfort, hope, and smiles to children facing illness, disability, and medical challenges.

We are so grateful for your generosity and for choosing Shadow Buddies as part of your journey. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of children and families around the world.

Please join us in celebrating Jay Dee and Brianna for going the extra mile—both on and off the track! 🏎️✨

This month, we honor the memories, stories, and strength of those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. 💜

At the Shadow Buddies Foundation, we believe comfort and connection matter at every stage of life. Sometimes, a simple hug from a Shadow Buddy can bring a moment of peace, familiarity, and joy.

During Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, we stand with patients, caregivers, and families navigating this journey together. 🫶

KC Non-Profit
Shadow Buddies

A Tribute to our Vinnie Vaccaro

On behalf of the Shadow Buddies Foundation, we gather in grateful remembrance of Vinnie Vaccaro, whose service on the Shadow Buddies Board reflected a deep and enduring commitment to children facing serious medical challenges. Vinnie gave generously his time, care, and leadership, helping strengthen a mission devoted to bringing comfort, courage, and compassion to young patients and their families.

Through thoughtful guidance and steadfast support, Vinnie helped ensure that children navigating difficult treatments felt seen, encouraged, and never alone. His legacy lives in the lives he touched, the hope he helped nurture, and the example he set of service rooted in kindness and heart. Vinnie will be remembered with admiration, gratitude, and lasting affection. He truly helped us spread Miles of Smiles around the World. We love you, Vinnie. ❤️

Honoring the everyday heroes who run toward the moments most of us would run from 💙

This First Responder Buddy represents courage, calm, and care in action—just like the incredible first responders who protect and serve our communities every day.

From all of us at Shadow Buddies Foundation, thank you for being the steady presence in life’s most critical moments.

KC Non-Profit
Shadow Buddies

✨ Intern Highlight: Meet Audrey Pool! ✨

Audrey is 21 years old and a rising junior at the University of Kansas studying Applied Behavioral Science with dreams of becoming a Child Life Specialist one day. 💙

Some of Audrey’s favorite things include traveling, concerts, the color pink, spending time with friends, Dr. Pepper, and reading! 📚🎶✈️

Audrey was born with a rare genetic condition called Turner Syndrome and received a Shadow Buddy herself as a child, giving her firsthand experience with the comfort, support, and joy a buddy can bring during difficult times. Her personal connection to the mission makes her incredibly passionate about the work we do at Shadow Buddies Foundation, and we are so excited to have her on the team this summer! 🌟

Welcome, Audrey! 💕