ChildServe

12/25/2025

Up on the housetop, click, click, click… down through the chimney to ChildServe came good Saint Nick! 🎅

Last week, individuals from ChildServe Homes came out to our Johnston location for a special visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Our team cheered on each individual as they shared conversations with Santa, posed for festive photos, and some even exchanged high-fives and hugs along the way.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible Homes team for making great life moments like these possible. The team thoughtfully coordinated visit times for each home, creating a calm, joyful environment that gave each individual the best opportunity to fully enjoy their time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Thank you to all of our ChildServe team members who make this time of year extra special for the kids and families we serve. Your care, creativity, and compassion mean so much.

Happy holidays to you and yours, from all of us at ChildServe! ❤

Images: ChildServe Homes making visits to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.

12/24/2025

“We’re in love… we’re in love… and we don’t care who knows it!” - Buddy, the Elf 🧝‍♂️ ❤

Just like Buddy, we couldn’t be more in love with our ChildServe spaces, which have been transformed into a festive delight this holiday season! From creative (and hilarious!) door décor to cubicles decked out from top to bottom, our team truly knows how to embrace the holiday spirit. The kids and families we serve love being welcomed by a little extra cheer – and so do we!

Images: Photos of door and cubicle holiday decor at ChildServe.

12/23/2025

The holidays are looking bright for the Larson family thanks to a special gift from Rifton! 🎁

One-year-old Quinn was born with spina bifida, a condition that affects how the spine and nerves develop. Because of this, Quinn has limited nerve function in her legs and needs extra support to move, play and keep up with her busy older siblings.

"It has been a huge blessing watching her gain independence and mobility. At Christmas time, there is nothing more special and magical than that." - Lindsay, Quinn's mom. ✨

🎥 A special thank you to our friends at Two Rivers Marketing for capturing Quinn's special surprise.

12/22/2025

Our waiting rooms have been SPRUCED up! ❤️ 💚 Visitors to ChildServe – Johnston, ChildServe – Des Moines, or our Developmental Center may have noticed some familiar festive sparkle in our waiting rooms this month. A few gorgeous trees from Blank Children's Hospital’s Festival of Trees & Lights event have found a new home at ChildServe!

A heartfelt thank you to Delta Dental of Iowa, Syverson Strege, and Mark Feldmann & Teri Wahlig for creating and generously donating these festive trees that brighten the season for the kids and families we serve. 🎄

Images: Decorated trees in our waiting rooms at different ChildServe locations.

12/21/2025

Holiday cheer is in the air at ChildServe! 💚 ❤️

Our Human Resources team is sending warm holiday wishes to every team member, child and family across ChildServe. We’re grateful for the joy and dedication of all of our team members who make ChildServe such a magical place all year long. Connect with our team today to learn more about ChildServe's award-winning culture! https://www.childserve.org/careers/

Images: Festive photos of our HR teams with holiday attire and seasonal decorations.

12/20/2025

The Chris Norton Foundation is hosting its annual Wheelchair Camp this summer, and ChildServe families are invited to check it out! Camp is hosted at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch in Stewartville, Minnesota. Wheelchair Camp is a fun and free experience for youth with physical challenges of all levels and their families. ⛺

From June 21 to June 25, or June 27 to July 1, 2026, campers can spend a week in a supportive community to play sports, tell stories, make friends, embark on adventures, and get inspired. Due to limited space, the camp will look at many factors regarding who will be selected to attend. Applications are accepted until May 31, 2026. Apply here: https://chrisnortonfoundation.org/become-a-camper/.

12/20/2025

He’s checked his list twice… and good news! Every child at ChildServe made the Nice List this year! 🎅🏻

Santa Iowa Rob made a special visit to spread holiday cheer at ChildServe! He visited with team members and children in several of our services, including Applied Behavior Analysis, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Complex Medical Care, Day Habilitation, Childcare, Autism Day Program and a few outpatient therapy friends in our hallways and waiting room.

The kids, teens and young adults we serve were overjoyed to meet the big man in red – sharing their holiday wishes, asking Santa all their best questions and smiling ear-to-ear for festive photo ops.

Thank you to our incredible team members and volunteers who helped make this magical visit happen. Happy Holidays from all your friends at ChildServe! 💚 ❤️

Images: Photos of children and team members meeting Santa at ChildServe – Johnston.

12/19/2025

Fueled by strength, courage and unwavering determination, Jaelynn touched the hearts of everyone she met at ChildServe. During her time in our Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation program, her caring, upbeat personality lit up every room – leaving behind hope, joy and moments of laughter that won’t be forgotten. 💜

A sudden illness changed everything for Jaelynn. Brain swelling from viral meningitis and brainstem encephalitis left her unable to walk, talk or even eat – forcing her to rebuild pieces of herself she once knew so well. At ChildServe’s Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation program, she worked hard each day, working through physical, occupational, speech, music and mental health therapies.

Jaelynn moved mountains – pushing past every obstacle and leaving ChildServe’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit weeks earlier than anyone expected. On her final day in the unit, her care team lined the hallway for a celebratory clap-out, cheering her on as she closed this courageous chapter of her journey. Now continuing therapy through ChildServe’s outpatient services, Jaelynn plans to visit often, continuing to share her spark that has touched so many hearts. We’re so proud of you, Jaelynn. Your strength, perseverance and spunky spirit inspire us all.

Learn more about ChildServe's Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation program at https://www.childserve.org/pediatricrehabilitation/. To make a referral, call 515-331-8106 to reach an Access Specialist.

Images: Jaelynn's clap-out at ChildServe - Johnston.

12/18/2025

ChildServe is having a merry ! This holiday season, Ludacris is RAPPING up more than just famous, influential rap music... he’s gifting a special present just for the kids and families we serve at ChildServe! 🎤 🎁

Thank you to The Ludacris Foundation and their founder, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, for the incredibly generous $100,000 gift supporting ChildServe’s Inpatient Complex Medical Care program.

The Ludacris Foundation’s mission is to empower youth to live their dreams and uplift communities. ChildServe’s Inpatient Complex Medical Care program lives that mission every day – providing 24/7 inpatient care for children, teens and young adults with complex medical needs.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a successful career because of the fans that attend my concerts and support my music,” said Chris Bridges aka Ludacris. “Because of this, I have the privilege to support children’s hospitals and organizations in communities all over the world. I especially enjoy supporting organizations that have an extremely meaningful impact, such as ChildServe. ChildServe meets all the buckets when I’m choosing a non-profit partner, and I appreciate the good work that you’re doing to put Iowa on the map.”

Be your own Secret Santa and join Ludacris in transforming the lives of children with special healthcare needs: https://www.childserve.org/giving/.

Video: The ChildServe team telling staff working in the Inpatient Complex Medical Care program about the special gift for the children they serve.

12/17/2025

Pssst! ChildServe has a secret Santa that we can’t WAIT to share about. Check back tomorrow for an extra special surprise! 🎁

12/16/2025

We’re sending a heartfelt thank you to our friends at the Chris Norton Foundation for helping us purchase a Galileo Vibration Training Platform for the new ChildServe – Des Moines location!

"The Galileo Platform will be used to improve and grow our therapy options for kids with neuromuscular disorders, spinal cord injuries and other mobility challenges," said ChildServe – Des Moines Director Abbie Green. "This piece of equipment uses vibration technology to enhance muscle performance, improve blood circulation and support rehabilitation. Our therapy team is eager to incorporate this technology into their sessions!"

Thank you to the Chris Norton Foundation for their continued support in helping children with special healthcare needs live a ! To learn more about giving opportunities at ChildServe, visit https://bit.ly/GivingChildServe.

Images: The Galileo Vibration Training Platform in action at different ChildServe locations across Iowa.

12/16/2025

The Des Moines Playhouse has two sensory-friendly performances scheduled in 2026 and ChildServe families are invited to check them out!

🎭 Red Riding Hood, 4:00 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026
🎭 Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 10, 2026

These performances are joyful, low-stress, and inclusive, while still preserving the heart of the theatre experience. Whether you’re attending your first show or your fiftieth, sensory-friendly performances at the Playhouse ensure that everyone has a place in the audience.

This social narrative, led by the Playhouse outreach coordinator, shows what you can expect. ⬇

Nate Weber, Playhouse outreach coordinator, shows guests what they'll experience at a sensory-friendly performance.