For more than 20 years, Kenny and Wendy Kulesz have called South Baltimore home. It is where they have raised their two children, Kaden and Kenzie, built lifelong friendships, and given countless hours of their time to the community they love.

If you have been involved with youth sports in South Baltimore, there is a good chance you know Kenny. He has been instrumental in building and supporting South Baltimore Little League and travel league. He has also poured countless hours into the South Baltimore basketball program, which he started and continues to run as a volunteer. Whether it is coaching, organizing, setting up, solving a problem, or simply showing up when someone needs an extra set of hands, Kenny has always been one of those people you can count on.

Wendy has dedicated herself to this community as well, both as a mom and as a teacher at Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle School. Their children, Kaden and Kenzie, also attend Thomas Johnson. South Baltimore is not simply where the Kulesz family lives. It is truly their home and their extended family.

Now, after so many years of showing up for others, Kenny and Wendy need their community to show up for them.

Kenny recently suffered a stroke that has significantly affected his speech and balance. He is facing a long and uncertain road to recovery that will begin with a minimum of several weeks in an inpatient rehabilitation facility, followed by extensive therapy and care at home that could continue for months or even years.

At the same time, Kenny will be unable to work for the foreseeable future, and there is a very real possibility that he may not be able to return to work in the same capacity. The combination of lost income, medical expenses, rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, and future care will create a tremendous financial burden for their family at a time when their focus needs to be on one thing: helping Kenny recover.

As their family, we are creating this GoFundMe because we want to give Kenny and Wendy some breathing room during an incredibly difficult and uncertain time. Every contribution will go toward helping with medical and rehabilitation expenses, ongoing care, and the everyday household expenses that continue even when life suddenly changes.

Over the coming weeks, we will also be organizing additional community fundraisers, including restaurant nights and other events, so there will be many ways to support the Kulesz family.

Kenny has spent years giving his time to South Baltimore without ever expecting anything in return. He has coached our kids, built programs for them, volunteered his time, and helped create opportunities and memories for so many families. Wendy has spent her career caring for and educating children in this same community.

Now it is our opportunity to return some of that kindness.

Whether you are able to donate, participate in an upcoming fundraiser, share this page, or simply keep Kenny, Wendy, Kaden, and Kenzie in your thoughts, it means more to our family than we can express.

South Baltimore has always been a community that takes care of its own. Right now, one of the families that has given so much to this community needs us to rally around them.

Let’s show the Kulesz family just how many people are standing beside them as Kenny fights his way back.