The Chiefs and the Kansas City community raised more than $500,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) through flag sales during the 28th edition of Red Friday on Friday, Sept. 6. Over the past six years, Red Friday flag sales have raised more than $1.7 million to help RMHC-KC continue its mission of keeping families close in times of sickness and need.
Through a partnership with McDonald's, the specially designed 60th season 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 third year in a row, the flags were also sold online, with this year's online sales more than tripling last years. The half-million-dollar donation marks the highest Red Friday flag sales contribution since the club began selling them prior to the start of the 2014 season.
The club sold out of Red Friday flags in one day, with fans picking up more than 100,000 of the commemorative flags in person and online at shop.chiefs.com.
In addition, 60 lucky fans who purchased their flag on Red Friday and posted a photo with it to social media using the hashtag #RedFriday were winners in the club's "60 Prizes for the 60th Season" promotion. They received one of 60 vintage autographed prizes from Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt, QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce, RB Damien Williams, DE Frank Clark or S Tyrann Mathieu.
"We are delighted and amazed by the results of Red Friday and are deeply touched and honored by the generosity of Chiefs Kingdom. All of the proceeds stay right here in Kansas City, keeping families close to their sick kids and the medical care they need," Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City CEO Tami Greenberg said. "Red Friday is an extraordinary day in the life of our community, and this year's outpouring of support for our Kansas City Chiefs and for the sick children and families at Ronald McDonald House Charities was nothing short of amazing. We are grateful to the Hunt family, the entire Chiefs organization and to every member of the Kansas City community – and beyond – who participated in Red Friday. On behalf of the children and families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, thank you."
With this year's donation, more than $1.7 million in flag sale 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/.
"The support of Chiefs Kingdom on Red Friday continues to amaze us," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "It is always one of the most unique days of the year. The whole city is united around the football team, but more importantly, the city is also united around a common purpose. This record donation will help Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City continue to deliver world-class facilities and care for families and children every night."
For the third-consecutive year, Red Friday also headed south for a stop in Springfield, Missouri. In alignment with Red Friday in Kansas City, Red Friday flags were available at 55 McDonald's locations in Springfield and surrounding areas, as well as the Springfield Hy-Vee, for a minimum donation of $5. All flags in Springfield were also sold out, generating more than $50,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks.
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 more than $2.3 million for local charities, with an emphasis on assisting youth in need.
The Hunt Family Foundation 50/50 Raffle at Sunday's home opener 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. Beginning this season, fans who are not at Arrowhead Stadium on gameday can also participate in the Hunt Family Foundation 50/50 Raffle by visiting www.chiefs.com/fans/5050raffle. Online sales are now live, but fans must be located in the state of Missouri at the time they purchase a ticket online. The winning ticket will be announced during the fourth quarter of the game and winners do not need to be present to win. The winner has 30 days to redeem their ticket. The winning ticket will be announced in-stadium and on www.chiefs.com/fans/5050raffle.
