The Clubs recently held the first annual Mind, Body & Soul Classic 5K Run/Walk for the Kids at Roe Park (see pictures at left and below). Hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages gathered on a beautiful Saturday morning at Roe Park to participate. Awards were presented for the top three finishers in each age category and the Clubs were thrilled to have a great group of runners from around the community join our kids and parents that day! We look forward to the 2nd Annual event next year!

 

The 6th Annual Base Ball event - "Burgers & Base Ball" - was held on June 11 at the Museums at 18th & Vine. A crowd of nearly 500 danced to the grooves of Bake & The Tenderhearts, enjoyed food catered by Westport Flea Market, hit some balls in the batting cage and tried out the new fast pitch cage, bid on fabulous auction items and generally had a great time! Over $200,000 was raised for the RBI program. A special thank you to Captains Julie and Joe Zwillenberg for leading the charge this year and to Jill and Tom Turner for hosting a fabulous Base Ball Patron Party at their lovely home for 75 guests one week prior to the event. 

 

Hawaii came to Kansas City (photo at top) when 15 General Mills employees spent an evening bringing the sights and sounds of Hawaii to the East Side Unit. The employees converted East Side's game room into a tropical oasis including leis, grass skirts, hula hoops, air balls, straw hats, and an island-themed dinner. The children rotated through a photography station, hula hoop station, and a craft station where they made picture frames. At the end of the evening, each child left with an individual photo and handmade magnetic striped frame designed to fit perfectly on a parent's refrigerator. The children, volunteers and staff were all engaged in the theme and had a great time!

  

RBI Player Gordy Guild has signed a National Letter of Intent to play ball at William Jewell next year! Gordy is a member of the Diamond Masterz in the Buck O'Neil Division this year, coached by Mel Thompson. Congratulations to Gordy on this great accomplishment! He is truly setting an excellent example for our younger RBI players to follow!

 

The Kiwanis Club in Independence recently celebrated Read Around the World Day at the Leslie and Hawthorne Units. Kiwanis volunteers read and distributed books to the Clubs. Each youth selected a book and then they were sorted into groups according to their selection. The Kiwanians read a sample of the book and encouraged the youth to finish reading the book at home and share with siblings and friends. 100 youth participated in this program to address child literacy in fun and creative ways.