KCSN Foundation Newsletter - Chance to Win Amazing Prizes and Update on What We're Doing in the Community
The latest on what’s going on with the KCSN Foundation from the Community Outreach Coordinator, Kristian Gumminger
KCSN Founder and CEO BJ Kissel frequently jokes that KC Sports Network is a “digital company to distract you from work.”
While that is fun in jest, KC Sports Network has become simply so much more. The entire KCSN team is comprised of those who love their local teams so much they want to share with their community.
Simply, community is what sets KCSN apart.
KC Sports Network has created the go-to spot for coverage of all your local teams and want to use those same platforms to serve and improve the community in any way we can. We imagine a community that helps one another through our shared love of sports.
Kansas City is our home and we have made it our mission to find ways to make positive impacts.
Local Impact
One way that the KCSN Foundation has made an impact in the community is through our book drive partnership with Emprise Bank.
Studies show that kids who have books around display a significant leap in their reading skills, according to the National Education Association.
So, to help, KCSN Foundation is delivering more than 150 books to two different schools across the KC Metro every month. There is an excitement from the kids when the new books arrive each month. Representatives from Emprise Bank come to these deliveries and read the books to the kids, who follow along and get excited when they’re told to put the books in their bags to take home.
In the three months since we’ve started this, more than 500 books have been delivered to schools on both the Kansas and Missouri side of Kansas City.
Spotlight Story
But that’s not the only way we are bringing joy to the kids in the KC Metro. With our “My First Game” campaign, KCSN Foundation has partnered with Tickets For Less to send kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City to each of the Chiefs’ home games.
Colton was our winner for the Monday night game against the Raiders.
Just like the other winners, Colton and his family came to the Tickets For Less tailgate fully ready to embrace everything that’s great about being a Chiefs fan. It started with some pulled pork barbecue that he said was “super good, but I really like the mac and cheese.” After playing corn hole with his sister Tessa, Colton and family walked into the Arrowhead Pro Shop to make sure they were ready to go before the game began.
Every kid selected gets to pick something that the KCSN Foundation pays for so they go home with something tangible from the game. Colton and Tessa picked out foam fingers to be the best fans in the stands.
Walking up the ramp to our seats, both Colton and Tessa were in awe of the fun that only Arrowhead can provide. From the sheet metal banging in unison to chanting fans, to the singing of the National Anthem with a collective “Home of the Chiefs” that they weren’t fully prepared for, to the fireworks of every touchdown score from his favorite player Patrick Mahomes, it was a night Colton will always remember for his first game.
After the game, Colton’s mother sent this to us.
“Thank you so much!!!! We have had such a great time!!!! It means so much to me and Colton and Tessa, they're actually really into the game now like I am. Colton is so excited about football now, it may change his life! I'm so grateful. This was a wonderful experience!”
Latest Events
The KCSN Foundation hosted its first ever golf tournament at Sunflower Hills Golf Course in Bonner Springs on October 15th.
In partnership with Holladay Distillery, the tournament raised enough money to continue providing Kansas City’s homeless with meals each month through Hope Faith Ministries in Kansas City, Missouri, and their Saturday morning program.
The tournament was a blast, especially getting Substack subscribers and new friends together for a day on the course. Golfers had the opportunity to win a new Toyota Rav4, a one of kind tour through the Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri, $10,000 cash, and even a hot tub.
One lucky golfer was selected through the raffle to have a shot at a $1,000,000 if he was able to sink a hole in one. He came close-ish, but ultimately the swag bag would have to be enough.
Look for another golf tournament coming in 2023!
So What’s Next?
Our next event is our Soul of KC Holiday Raffle and Toy Drive throughout the end of November and mid-December.
Through donations, KCSN foundation will purchase presents for Operation Breakthrough’s Christmas Store again this year.
In our first year of doing this event, Chiefs Kingdom - along with some help from Dick’s Sporting Goods - helped us raise nearly $14,000 to benefit kids in the Kansas City community.
Together - we all made sure more kids in our community had a fantastic Christmas.
Here’s the video from last year.
This year, we want to go bigger and help more of those in need during the holiday season. We have some great items to raffle off already - 25 different items in total to be won, and if you or someone you know would like to get involved, please reach out.
Raffle tickets can be purchased through the @KCSportsNetwork Venmo.
1 ticket = $20. 10 tickets for $100. Tickets will be on sale through December 6. Winners will be drawn LIVE on the KC Sports Network YouTube channel at halftime of the December 11 game when the Chiefs take on the Denver Broncos.
Here are some questions that you probably have that I can answer.
Will my donations to the KCSN Foundation tax-exempt?
Yes. Because of the work that’s been done, the KCSN Foundation has become a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. That will provide us more opportunities to help more people and we can provide more in return for those who want to support what we’re trying to do.
Where can I get involved?
Please contact our Community Outreach Coordinator Kristian Gumminger at KCSNFoundation@gmail.com
How can I donate?
You can donate by contacting Kristian Gumminger or by using Venmo at @KCSportsNetwork. We will follow up with you to issue a receipt for your tax records.
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