Where Smiles Found Their Place: The Beginning of KCT

Back in 2018, founder and parent Kimberly Freutel saw something that could spark change. We all know that moment in first grade, a clumsy fall followed by a tragic nickname that sticks. Reputations follow you throughout, and making friends is a battle.

A question flashed in Kimberly’s mind, What if we just helped kids find someone to play with? Not every child has band, sports, or an after-school club as an outlet. So, what if we create that space for the kids who need an extra push?

She posted the idea on Facebook, and all it took was just ten families saying, “Yes. We need this.”

It’s time for the big leagues

“High school kids can run the world,” she told me. From a middle schooler’s eyes, the high schoolers were like the Avengers. They were powerful, cool, and fun to hang around.

So, Kimberly assembled her own team of superheroes and started the youth board for KCT. The adults didn’t run the show, the high schoolers did. While she helped guide things, the ideas came from the students. They created events and built spaces where kids could be carefree.

At KCT, there were no pressures of a silly nickname or reputation; they were simply kids having fun. There’s something powerful about that. Young people aren’t “tainted,” she said. They’re not bogged down by twenty years of stagnant thinking. They bring fresh ideas, “And honestly? They’re efficient.”

Ice cream is the solution

When asked about the “We made it !” moment, Kimberly described the power of ice cream. After a successful event, a parent approached her and said, “Susie and Anna have a playdate today, we’re going to get ice-cream” These words were enough to melt Kimberly’s heart. 

This was just the beginning. Animal sanctuary events, game night events, lego events were each gathering was designed to give back to the community. In Kimberly’s words, “The community service was great, but we really wanted to put smiles on faces that had trouble finding them.”

The Takeway

If she could go back and tell her younger self one thing?

“Don’t be scared of trying new things. It’s okay to fail. You’ll never know unless you try.”

She didn’t know exactly how KCT would work, but she knew she wanted to try.

And that small act of trying turned into an organisation that spreads smiles. 

Finally, Kimberly has officially declared that the theme song for KCT is “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.” A perfect tune that connects everyone in a funny, authentic, and altruistic manner.

Everyone at KCT would like to thank Kimberly Freutel for building a strong foundation. Her perseverance and determination took KCT from a dinner table idea to an organisation that inspires change and positivity in our community. We appreciate everything you have done, and KCT will continue to put smiles on people’s faces.