The Chiefs and the Kansas City community raised more than $275,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) through flag sales during the 27th edition of Red Friday on Friday, Sept. 7. Over the past five years, Red Friday flag sales have raised nearly $1.2 million to help RMHC-KC continue their mission of keeping families close in times of sickness and need.
Through a partnership with McDonald's, the 2018 edition of the flag was sold in all Kansas City- and St. Joseph-area McDonald's locations, as well as Kansas City Hy-Vee stores and CommunityAmerica Credit Union branches for a minimum donation of $5. For the second year in a row, the flags were also sold online, with this year's online sales more than doubling online sales in 2017. In total, more than $275,000 was raised in 2018, which marks the second-highest Red Friday flag sales donation since the club began selling them prior to the start of the 2014 season.
Ten lucky fans who purchased their flag at random McDonald's locations on Red Friday were surprised to find that they had purchased one of 10 special golden flags. The golden flag promotion, in its second year, delivered the lucky fans an exclusive prize pack that included two tickets and a VIP experience to the home opener on Sunday, Sept. 23 against the San Francisco 49ers, to go with Big Macs for a year.
Fans who were unable to pick their flag up in person, or who have not yet purchased their flag online still have time to secure their 2018 Chiefs Kingdom flag. The flags will be sold online at shop.chiefs.com and in the Arrowhead Stadium Team Store through the home opener on Sunday, Sept. 23, while supplies last.
"Every year Kansas City touches my heart with its generosity on Red Friday, and 2018 is no exception! It's amazing that this community provided over $275,000 for families with sick kids at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City," RMHC-KC CEO Tami Greenberg said. "We are keeping families close during the times when it matters most – over 7,000 families every year – and we could not do it without the help of Chiefs Kingdom. We are full of gratitude and support for the Hunt family, the entire Chiefs organization, and the fans throughout Kansas City and beyond."
With this year's donation, nearly $1.2 million in flag sales proceeds have been directed to assisting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City as they reduce the burden of childhood illness on children and their families by providing a "home away from home" while the children are receiving medical care in Kansas City-area hospitals. For more information on Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, please visit www.rmhckc.org/.
"Red Friday continues to be one of the most unique and impactful annual events that we participate in as an organization," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "When you combine the excitement of the start of football season with the benevolent nature of the people of Kansas City, it has a true impact on the community. We're thrilled to have surpassed $1 million in total donations over the past five years as we know how much it helps Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City continue serving families and youth every night."
Sunday's Hunt Family Foundation 50/50 Raffle will also benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. This gameday fundraiser provides fans the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets before and during all Chiefs home games. One lucky fan will go home with half of the net proceeds and the other half will be donated to RMHC-KC through the Hunt Family Foundation. Tickets are three for $5, 10 for $10 and 60 for $20.
Red Friday honors the long-standing tradition of selling team-themed publications around the city to raise money for local charities started by Chiefs Founder Lamar Hunt and the Chiefs Red Coaters. Since the inception of Red Friday, newspaper, magazine and flag sales have raised nearly $2 million for local charities, with an emphasis on assisting youth in need.
