Kelsey's Story Our Mission Why It Matters Scholarship Donate ♥
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The Live Like Kelsey Foundation · Windsor, Colorado

Celebrating kindness. Inspiring joy. Changing lives.

Live like Kelsey. Lead with love.

We are excited to share the story of a very special woman whose light continues to touch our community. Her name was Kelsey — and to so many people, she was simply the light in the room.

Give in Kelsey's honor The scholarship
Kelsey, smiling softly with her chin resting in her hand, wrapped up in her favorite blue fleece
Her Story

Simply the light in the room

Kelsey was our daughter, our sister, our family, and our friend — and to so many people, she was simply the light in the room.

Kelsey happened to have Down syndrome, but that was never what defined her. She was defined by her ability to love without limits, make people smile, bring people together, and make everyone around her feel welcomed, valued, and loved.

She was deeply involved in her community and embraced life with a joy that was completely her own. She loved music, sports, social activities, being with people, and experiencing all that life had to offer. These weren't just activities to Kelsey — they were a meaningful part of who she was.

"Inclusion isn't simply about making room for someone. It's about making sure they know they truly belong."

In August 2024, we lost Kelsey to cancer.

But we don't want her story to end there.

We created the Live Like Kelsey Foundation to keep her light shining and honor the way she lived — using Kelsey's name and legacy to provide the same kinds of meaningful opportunities that brought joy, connection, confidence, health, and purpose to her life.

💙 Windsor, Colorado
Her light. Their opportunity. Our mission.

Because sometimes the difference between wanting to participate and being able to participate is simply having someone willing to help open the door.

We want to be the help that opens that door.

Our Mission

What it means to live like Kelsey

to celebrate abilities, create opportunities, encourage inclusion, and empower individuals

Our mission is to fund educational, physical, social, musical, and creative enrichment opportunities for individuals with identified disabilities and those considered at-risk or underserved in our communities — improving quality of life through social and skill-building activities and personal success.

Celebrate abilities

Kelsey never let a label define the size of her life. We want individuals to discover what they're capable of.

Create opportunities

Helping people experience things that might otherwise be out of reach — financially or physically.

Encourage inclusion

Inclusion isn't simply about making room for someone — it's making sure they know they truly belong.

Empower individuals

Supporting people to live boldly, joyfully, and fully — just as Kelsey did.

What we fund

  • 📚 Individual scholarships for tutoring and academic enrichment classes — nominated by school administrators, psychologists, counselors, teachers, and parents
  • 🎶 Scholarships for adults with disabilities to participate in Adaptive Choir programs
  • 🏅 Donations to Special Olympics middle and high school Spring Track and Field Games — promoting physical activity and social experiences
  • 🤝 Support for Unified Sports programs from 4th grade through high school — fostering friendships with peers, physical activity, and community
  • 🎟️ Ticket vouchers to sporting events and clinics — from professional and college games to the chance to meet a sports hero
Why It Matters

Why your support matters

A chance to go, experience, participate, and belong

For many individuals with disabilities or those who are underserved, opportunities that seem simple to others can be financially or physically out of reach.

🎟️ A ticket to a sporting event 🎵 A music therapy session 📖 An enrichment class ⚽ A sports clinic 🏅 Participation in Special Olympics ✏️ A tutoring opportunity 🤝 A chance to be part of a team 💙 A chance to simply belong

Your contribution won't just support a nonprofit.

It will create an experience.

With every opportunity we create, Kelsey's light shines a little brighter.

These opportunities are intentional. They are the kinds of experiences that helped make Kelsey, Kelsey. She thrived when she was included. She loved music, being active in her community, watching and playing sports, going places, trying new things, and feeling like she was part of something. We want to use her name to provide those same opportunities to others.

Her Light in Action

The Kelsey Thomas Kindness Scholarship

A little kinder. A little more joyful. A lot more of a bright light.

This is where Kelsey's legacy becomes real — turning the kindness she showed the world into opportunities for students, in partnership with NoCo Tutoring & Enrichment.

The Scholarship

Carrying her light forward

Kelsey was a longtime friend and student of NoCo Tutoring & Enrichment, committed to lifelong learning. In honor of her commitment to showing the world how to be a little kinder, a little more joyful, and a lot more of a bright light, the Foundation is proud to sponsor this scholarship in her name.

  • Award:  A fully paid tutoring or enrichment experience through NoCo Tutoring & Enrichment's programming
  • Apply online, or download the application and submit it through the site
Apply for the Scholarship →
The Award

A fully paid tutoring
or enrichment experience

Through NoCo Tutoring & Enrichment

given in Kelsey's name