Royals in the Community

KANSAS CITY, MO – The Kansas City Royals will partner with the Kansas City Chiefs, Operation Blessing International and more than 200 volunteers to help feed those in need during the Operation Blessing event scheduled for Saturday, May 19.  In addition, the club’s upcoming homestand against the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks also features a 50/50 Friday fundraiser to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Below is a listing of the club’s upcoming community efforts for May 16-20.

Wednesday, May 16 – Baltimore Orioles vs. Royals, 7:10 p.m.

• Dream Factory – Throughout the season, the Royals grant the wishes of Dream Factory children.  These youngsters, who face life-altering challenges, will meet Royals players, watch batting practice from the dugout, and enjoy the game and refreshments.  Their Royals experience appears on the KMBC-TV (Channel 9) 10 p.m. newscast.

Thursday, May 17 – Baltimore Orioles vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m.

Friday, May 18 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Royals, 7:10 p.m.

• 50/50 Friday – For every Friday home game, volunteers sell raffle tickets from the time gates open until the end of the fourth inning.  One winning ticket will be selected with the winner taking home half of the evening’s net proceeds.  The other half will be divided between Royals Charities and a local Kansas City charity.  The Arthritis Foundation will be the designated charity for Friday’s fundraiser.  www.royals.com/5050.  
• Budweiser Walk-Off Hero – The Royals and Budweiser salute a member of the military by providing complimentary tickets and recognizing the honoree with a special in-game recognition. 

• Royals, MLB Recognize Honorary Bat Girl – The Royals and MLB partner with Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Kansas City to highlight breast cancer awareness efforts.  The Royals will recognize an Honorary Bat Girl breast cancer survivor during a special on-field ceremony, while another survivor will have the honor of sitting in the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat.  In addition, Susan G. Komen will have an information booth near Rivals Sports Bar.  Fans can continue to support the fight against breast cancer by signing up for the All-Star Game 5K & Fun Run presented by Nike that is scheduled for Sunday, July 8 in downtown Kansas City.  All net proceeds from the event will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Stand Up to Cancer.  Registration and event information is available at www.AllStarGame.com/5K.

• Stars of the Classroom – The Royals join the Missouri Lottery to honor outstanding educators through the Missouri Lottery Stars of the Classroom recognition program.  Prior to six Royals games throughout the season, the Missouri Lottery and the Royals celebrate the achievements of top teachers from six school districts in the metro area.

Saturday, May 19 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Royals, 6:15 p.m.

• Operation Blessing – The Royals join forces with the Kansas City Chiefs and Operation Blessing International to feed more than 3,000 needy families in Kansas City.  Under the motto "Two Teams: One Goal," the clubs join more than 200 community volunteers to distribute Operation Blessing's food and toys to those who need it most.  Distribution will begin at approximately 11 a.m. at the Hostess Brands lot, located at East 30th St. and Troost Ave. in Kansas City, Mo.
• Meet Gordon at Rally House – Outfielder Alex Gordon will meet fans and sign autographs from 11 a.m. to noon at the Rally House: Independence Superstore, located in from of Independence Cancer at 18701 E. 39^th St. in Independence, Mo.
• Budweiser Walk-Off Hero – The Royals and Budweiser salute a member of the military by providing complimentary tickets and recognizing the honoree with a special in-game recognition. 

Sunday, May 20 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Royals, 1:10 p.m.

• Royals Troopers – The Royals Grounds Crew welcomes select children who have a parent deployed through the United States military efforts overseas to join them in game preparations as part of the Royals Troopers program presented by John Deere.  The honored kids will help prepare the field prior to the game and will receive game tickets and Royals merchandise.
• Budweiser Walk-Off Hero – The Royals and Budweiser salute a member of the military by providing complimentary tickets and recognizing the honoree with a special in-game recognition. 

Royals and 610 Sports Radio Team Up for “Royals Charities presents Royals Weekly” Radio Show

Fans can learn about all of the club’s community and charity efforts by tuning into the “Royals Charities presents Royals Weekly” radio program.  The one-hour show, which is scheduled to air every Sunday at 10 a.m. throughout the season, can be heard on 610 Sports Radio, the flagship station of the Royals.  In addition to the club’s community outreach efforts, the program will highlight upcoming player appearances and provide a season-long radio tour of the Royals Hall of Fame.