When we added our 49th Kart at Goshen Health, I couldn’t help but pause and think about just how far we’ve come.
Forty-nine Karts.
It almost seems unbelievable. I can only imagine what it would look like to see all 49 Karts lined up together—a beautiful reminder of the thousands of children and families they have served. And now we’re just one Kart away from reaching 50. I already have an idea of where that milestone Kart might go…but you’ll just have to wait and see.
Adding a new Kart is never something we take lightly. Every new location represents a commitment that extends far beyond delivery day.
There are conversations with hospital staff to determine where the Kart will have the greatest impact. Will it serve the Emergency Department? The medical-surgical floor? Multiple units? We work together to develop a plan, train staff and volunteers, and ensure the program can be successful for years to come.
Then comes funding.
It costs between $1,500 and $2,700 just to initially stock a Kart, depending on its size. Today, we have 49 Karts and 14 book tubs that need to be refilled month after month. That’s no small undertaking. Every time we add a new location, we ask ourselves the same questions: How will we sustain it? How do we engage another community? Who will help make this possible?
The answer is always the same.
It takes a village.
And what an incredible village it is.
Micah and Stephanie VerHage have faithfully donated books and financial support for the past 12 years in memory of their son, Ezra. Every November, around his birthday, they host a book or fundraising drive. Then each January, around his angel day, they bring their gifts to Kate’s Kart. Year after year, their faithfulness has been a beautiful reminder that love doesn’t end when a child dies.
This year, in honor of what would have been Ezra’s 18th birthday, their generous donation became the perfect opportunity to dedicate a Kart in his memory.
Walking alongside other families who have experienced the unimaginable has been one of the most humbling and meaningful parts of our own journey after losing Kate. When families choose Kate’s Kart as a way to honor their child or because a book once comforted them during a hospital stay, it reminds us why we do this work. We intentionally reserve opportunities for Kart sponsorships so families can experience the comfort of knowing their child’s legacy continues to bring hope to others.
Then there’s Dylan.
Years ago, Dylan was a Kate’s Kart kid. Today, he’s an adult and a manager at Lippert. Over the past five years, he has used his influence to encourage his company to support our mission. Since he works in Elkhart County, he approached us about bringing Kate’s Kart to the area.
Together, we began laying the groundwork. We even partnered with Chief Ice Cream in Goshen during our Ice Cream Social before there was ever a Kart in the community. Dylan also helped secure funding through Lippert Cares to provide the initial books for the new Kart.
Because of people like Dylan, our footprint in Elkhart County is only just beginning.
Of course, every Kart has a story before it ever reaches a hospital.
Our friends at Pyromation—another company connected to a family whose child once received books from a Kate’s Kart—painted the ends of the Kart our signature pink. From there, it was delivered to Hannah, an incredibly talented local artist who hand-painted this Kart
We ordered eight new Karts this summer, and every one of them has been lovingly transformed into a one-of-a-kind work of art by local artists. No two are alike. Each has its own personality. Each tells a different story.
Finally, there are the hospital staff who bring the mission to life every single day.
For this Kart, a nurse who had previously worked in Kosciusko County experienced firsthand the joy Kate’s Kart brought to patients. When she also worked at Goshen Health, she knew she wanted the same opportunity for the children there.
We met with the director and nurse manager to discuss the logistics, but what stood out most wasn’t the planning. It was their gratitude.
They talked about how meaningful it is to have something more than a sticker or sucker to offer frightened children. A book helps build rapport. It creates a moment of connection. It provides comfort, distraction, and even a smile during what can be one of the hardest days in a child’s life.
The appreciation in the eyes of the staff spoke volumes.
So yes—it takes a village to launch a new Kart.
But it takes an even bigger village to keep it going.
The Kart arrived completely stocked, but in just a few short weeks those shelves will need to be filled again. And I know exactly what will happen. Schools, churches, businesses, civic groups, and generous individuals will step forward because they’ve seen the power of a single book.
We’ve watched it happen again and again.
Kart after Kart.
Community after community.
Child after child.
Welcome to the Kate’s Kart family, Goshen. We are so glad to color Elkhart county purple and place a little heart (and a whole lot of love) in your little corner of the world, one book at a time.
Krista