Small Steps, Great Leaps

By Jan Badger

Wendi Stogner is just a mom.  Thankfully, that is all she had to be to change the world for twelve children and their families.  This is not what she set out to do, but as with many things in life, her small steps to help her own son turned into great leaps for those around her.

Wendi Stogner and family

In 2006, Wendi's son, Kaden, was diagnosed with autism.  She and her husband, Kevin, soon discovered that the therapies that could most help Kaden cost more than they could afford and were not covered by medical insurance.  With her family's help she organized a golf tournament to help meet the cost.  Her ultimate goal was to raise $2,000.  To her surprise, she ended up raising more than five times that amount!  No one would have blamed her for keeping the other monies for the following years, but she realized that more and more children were being diagnosed with the disability, and early intervention is key for them to be able to succeed in life.  So, she decided to open up a scholarship fund for children like hers.  She was able to award five $2,000 scholarships that year.  The Stogner Scholarship for Autism's second Annual Golf Tournament was an even bigger success, almost doubling the first year's efforts!

As the tournament grew Wendi found it was necessary and beneficial for the parents of scholarship recipients to help in the fundraising efforts.  She based the amount of the scholarship on the effort of each family to recruit teams, solicit sponsorships, and volunteer time before and during the tournament.  Because of Wendi's emphasis on making the tournament an amazing experience for everyone involved, each year more teams signed up to play, more tee times were added and the tournament became a two day event.  Even better, the players could learn more about the children they were helping and feel emotionally invested in their recovery.  Many trophy winners have been brought to tears, not by the thrill of victory, but because their trophies were made of legos by the kids and their siblings.

To date, after just five tournaments, the Stogner Foundation has raised over $100,000 and awarded forty-three scholarships.  By encouraging the families to participate in fund raising efforts, organizing the tournaments, and volunteering during the events, the Foundation has not had to hire employees, so more of the money raised can go directly to everyone involved.  "Our goal is to give theses families a hand up, not a handout," Wendi explained while describing the foundation's mission.  The families learn how to advocate and raise funds while educating the community and giving their extended families, friends, and local business owners the opportunity to participate in each child's recovery.  All of this because a mom wanted to raise two thousand dollars.

This April the Stogner Foundation is embarking on a new fundraising venture.  The "All in for Austism" Casino Night will take place this Friday, April 13, at WinMock at Kinderton in Bermuda Run, NC.  The event with a 1920's gangster and flapper theme will include, not only casino games, but also a poker tournament, food, drinks, dancing, raffles, and a costume contest.  Wendi is excited and optimistic about the event, "It's going to be so much fun.  I can't wait!  We're hoping to reach a broader audience than just golfers, including women."

Tickets are $50 and include food, drinks, $10,000 funny money and can be purchased by calling Wendi at (336) 608-9418.  For more information about the Stogner Foundation, visit their website at http://www.scholarshipsforautism.org, or their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stogner-Scholarship-for-Autism-Inc/220003474701501.  Wendi can be reached at wendi@scholarshipsforautism.org.


Jan Badger is a mother of two children, including a son with autism.  She is an art director, social media manager and runs her own advertising and design company, Jan Badger Creative Solutions.  You can see her work online at www.facebook.com/pages/Jan-Badger-Creative-Solutions/131367936965075, or contact her at jan.badger6@gmail.com.