Fourth Annual Help Kids Play Benefit Most Successful Yet
C4K's Fourth Annual Help Kids Play Benefit took place last month on September 19, 2018 at the Skirvin Grand Ballroom. We are so thankful to everyone who has supported this event in the past and allowed it to become an annual celebration of the power of sports and the impact they can have on children across Oklahoma.
This year's luncheon was our most successful yet, raising over $114,000 for C4K programs that get safe equipment into the hands of kids who need it to participate. This year's co-chairs were Cecilia Robinson-Woods, the superintendent of Millwood Public Schools, and Brian Bogert, founder of the Social Order Dining Collective. These two community leaders were instrumental in the success of this luncheon and we are so thankful for their support of our organization as well as their belief in the importance of sports accessibility.
Oklahomans from many different businesses, organizations, neighborhoods, and schools all came together that Wednesday to hear our Keynote Speaker, Tom McDaniel of the American Fidelity Foundation, speak about the power of partnership and the importance of giving back to our city for the benefit of future generations. He also told a personal story about a coach who took a chance on him in high school - giving him a pair of cleats so he could play football for Alva High School. Because of that coach, Mr. McDaniel reports that the entire course of his life was changed.
All of us at C4K have met athletes who were given that same chance. The coaches we work with each week have watched kids graduate, gain scholarships to college, and live happier lives because of their experience on the field. Several of these students were present that day from Capitol Hill High School, US Grant High School, Edgemere Elementary School, Western Heights High School, and Millwood High School that have received equipment from C4K in the past. We were honored to celebrate with them and introduce them to our supporters and friends!
Thank you again to everyone who sponsored and attended this event. Your support means the world to us and allows us to keep doing what we love: equipping & empowering kids of all ages! Check out more photos from Help Kids Play below!
This year's Honorary Chairs were Dick and Barbara Bogert of Bogo Energy. For years, the Bogert Family has set a standard for caring about their community in a variety of ways.
A huge thank you to Dylan Buckingham of the Franchise Sports for joining us for his morning broadcast!
Ann Clore Duncan, Lori Kress, C4K Manager of Operations Allyson Meyer, Board Member Carolyn Hansing, Jennifer Cain, Amy Peters, Julie Atyia, Julie Meyer
This year's Varsity Board Co-Presidents - Mart Smith and Jack Griffin
Millwood Football Players Marcus Majors, Demariyon Houston, Daniel Howard
C4K Executive Director Stacy McDaniel presents Programs Director Darcy Scholze with a 5 Year Service Award
Brandon Meyer, Julie Meyer, Jake Meyer, Allyson Meyer, Jennifer Cain, Brian Cain
Help Kids Play also honored our 2018 Volunteers of the Year: Jon and Burke Beck of Red Coyote Running and Fitness. Jon and Burke have proven invaluable to the success of our Ready to Run Program and the Simon Greiner Track and Field Program. Our partnership with Red Coyote helps us impact thousands of kids per year and we are so thankful for their partnership! (Pictured above: Josh Lacan, Cindy Hibbs, Jenny Broad, Burke Beck, Jon Beck)
Brad Richardson, Bryan Bagby, Shannon Begnel, Mick Majors, Chanse Moucka, Wendie Whelan, and Amy Cooke from Paycom.
Keynote Speaker Tom McDaniel
Centerpieces featuring New Balance Running Shoes from our Simon Greiner Track & Field Program
C4K Staff - Darcy Scholze, Allyson Meyer, Stacy McDaniel, Taylor Self
