Elevating children with special needs

Starting at the base

Founded in 2012 by a group of medical professionals, families of children with special needs and supportive community members, Spokane-based Elevations seeks to address the inadequacies of a healthcare system that forces families to choose between paying for critical therapies and equipment for their kids and putting food on the table.

“We started Elevations in hopes of tackling the lack of funding for kids with special needs,” says Mary Anne Ruddis, executive director of Elevations. “That first year, I believe we awarded eight grants.”

That number has grown steadily over the years, funding out-of-pocket costs for a host of services, everything from physical therapy and speech-language pathology to nutrition guidance and music therapy. While amounts vary, depending on the needs of each child, the grant average is $700.

Given that extra financial hand, families are able to overcome such obstacles as high deductibles, multiple co-pays and lack of coverage, ensuring their children receive effective, evidence-based therapies that change their lives.

“We started Elevations in hopes of tackling the lack of funding for kids with special needs.”

– Mary Anne Ruddis, Elevations executive director

A spirited lineup of fundraisers

Supporting kids with special needs – more than a thousand to date – obviously requires money, so Elevations relies heavily on fundraising.

Each May, the nonprofit holds the Elevations Charity Golf Classic at the scenic Wandermere Golf Course nestled in the Little Spokane River Valley. The event features an afternoon of golf, followed by dinner and a raffle.

A few weeks later in June, Elevations stages its annual Stache Dash, “the race that puts hair on your face.” Runners take on the Children of the Sun Trail in North Spokane, completing 5k, 10k and half marathon distances. Those who haven’t managed to muster a stache of their own may have one provided.

The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser is its spooktacular Ghost Ball, an annual October Halloween event featuring a costume contest, photo booth, silent and live auctions and a chance to monster-mash the night away. Last year’s Ghost Ball raised a blood-curdling $105,000.

Inspiring its community partners

Individuals and businesses in the community have been instrumental in Elevations’ growth and impact, helping raise funds for and awareness of the need for better financial support when it comes to caring for special needs children.

North Town Insurance principal Aaron LeBlanc, who owns his Spokane-based agency with his wife Lisa, has long supported Elevations, in addition to other likeminded nonprofits in the area. Wednesday mornings, LeBlanc takes part in a networking meet-up with Ruddis, whose passion for children and first-hand understanding of the obstacles families face as they navigate the healthcare system, has left a deep impression. “Mary Anne is an inspiration, showing love and generosity to everyone around her,” says LeBlanc.

That admiration has inspired LeBlanc and the rest of North Town’s staff to donate both time and money in support of the nonprofit. “No family should have to choose between paying bills and getting their children the services they need,” says LeBlanc. “Elevations comes to the rescue in these situations. It’s such a blessing to partner with them.”

Regular contributions from community partners like North Town have amplified the nonprofit’s impact over the years. In 2023, it awarded $169,177 through 265 grants – its highest number ever.

“No family should have to choose between paying bills and getting their children the services they need. Elevations comes to the rescue in these situations. It’s such a blessing to partner with them.”

– Aaron LeBlanc, North Town Insurance co-owner

Reach new heights

Help North Town Insurance win $10,000 for Elevations by clicking the vote button. Get them an extra vote by cheering them on in the comments below by April 30, 2024.