Member Type: Staff

April first learned about Bags of Fun when her kids did the annual Gabby Krause Swim-A-Thon at their neighborhood pool. The more she learned about the organization and the incredible community that supported it, the more she knew she had to become involved. She started volunteering by stuffing and delivering bags to co-chairing Bring out the Bags for several years. She has 20+ years of graphic design experience and is so proud to be part of such an amazing organization.

April was born and raised in Ohio but has lived in Colorado since 2001 with her husband, Matt. She is the mom of 2 kids, Henry and Gracie, and has been very involved in the Cherry Creek school district and community since they were young. She loves going to her kid’s sporting events and activities, walking her dog Bailey and traveling to visit friends and family.

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud
– Maya Angelou

Louisa is the director of Bags of Fun KC and has been since its inception in 2011. She has a degree in Special Education and taught and tutored before starting Bags of Fun in Kansas City.  As a close family friend of executive director and founder, Tammy Krause, she is honored to continue keeping Gabby’s wish alive.  “Gabby was such a bubbly, funny girl. She loved joking around, and made us all laugh! She spent many hours playing at our house, riding in our car, and even gave my husband a nickname we all still use today.  Her legacy has brought her same joy and laughter to so many children and their families!”  Louisa is proud to be a KC native.  She and her husband have five children and when not working she likes traveling and reading.

Kelly Fallin has been an active supporter of Bags of Fun since 2008. Friends of the Rudden family since high school, she enjoyed attending various Bags of Fun events with her family for years. She became more involved by volunteering to help with the annual Bring out the Bags fundraiser and is now a proud team member. Now with firsthand, personal experience, she believes strongly in our mission and hopes to expand the Bags of Fun program in Colorado, so that every child fighting a life threatening disease or condition receives a Bag of Fun. Kelly works with the local community, Corporate Sponsors, Foundations and Individual Donors to increase the scope and awareness of our wonderful program. Her roles include running the annual charity golf tournament, grant and corporate outreach, Bring out the Bags sponsorship and event planning, community event assistance and really whatever is thrown her way.

Kelly is a busy mom to her 2 children, Carter and Mitchell. She enjoys time with her large extended family, tennis, golf, skiing and cheering on her kids in their various sports activities.

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”
– Dolly Parton

Kelly Moran has been a part of the Gabby Krause Foundation since 2007. She was lucky enough to witness Gabby at play in the neighborhood swimming pool and on the playground. It was quite evident to Kelly that Gabby wanted to play as much as possible despite her difficult treatments. Kelly is grateful to be a part of the Gabby Krause Foundation and help other kids with life threatening illnesses experience the power of play while undergoing treatment. Kelly manages the finances for the Foundation with a focus on fulfilling every single hospital request for a Bag of Fun. Her expertise has helped the Foundation to sustain and grow the Bags of Fun program.

A mother to twins Maggie and Ally and to Molly, Kelly volunteers regularly at Regis Jesuit High School. Kelly also serves as a math tutor to many kids in her community.

“You must do things that you think you cannot do.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

Although Windy never knew Gabby, she is friends with several people that were very close to her. Their passion for Bags of Fun inspired her to get involved with the Foundation. Windy first volunteered at fundraisers in her neighborhood of Sundance Hills. Then she started helping with swim-a-thons and our main fundraiser, Bring out the Bags. Being a former teacher, Windy is a strong believer in kids helping kids, and the power of play, which translate directly to her role as Program Director for the Gabby Krause Foundation. Windy works to promote Bags of Fun through local swim-a-thons, fundraisers at schools, events and all things Bags.

Windy is a mom of 2 young men, Ryan and Jack, and enjoys volunteering at their schools. She also loves going to her kids sporting events and activities, walking her dog Moose, playing golf and traveling with her husband, Matt.

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”
– George Bernard Shaw

Kirklyn Simonton has been involved with The Gabby Krause Foundation since its inception in 2004. When Gabby was first diagnosed, Kirklyn was her tennis instructor and remembers vividly “Gabby’s intense need to play, even when she was dealing with the horrible fatigue and side effects of treatment. She would literally not give up on that tennis ball, even though she could barely hold the racquet!” Initially as a volunteer, then as a Board Member and now as an employee, Kirklyn believes strongly that the power of play and the power of community are essential elements to dealing with difficult situations! Speaking from personal experience, “Bags of Fun are a powerful tool to help children feel like laughing and playing, but are also a reminder of that there are people out there that care and understand the feeling of helplessness as a parent. It is a gift of joy, laughter, comfort, strength and hope at a time when those feelings are not thought possible.” Kirklyn works directly with the community, corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors to continue to fund Bags of Fun in Colorado and to expand this program to other sites.

A mother to 3 children, JT, Charlie and Greer, Kirklyn spends her time attending their sporting events and activities. Active in the Cherry Creek School District, Wellshire Presbyterian Church and Haiti Partner’s Children’s Academy, community involvement is an important aspect of her life.

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” e.e. cummings