Sporting Kansas City and The Victory Project recently renovated spaces for families and children inside Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City (RMHC-KC) with the official ribbon cutting taking place on Tuesday to unveil the following improvements:
- New Xbox and Nintendo Switch gaming stations
- Sporting KC mural by Sike Style Industries
- New furniture, flooring, lighting and paint
- Play structures and upgraded toys for childrenÂ
"Families will able to utilize this space and hopefully it will provide comfort to them," said Sporting KC Director of Community Impact Chioma Atanmo. "We know that cancer for kids can be a very long healing process and it can be very unpredictable. To have a space that provides safety and comfort for the families is a major need."
Club captain Johnny Russell and teammate Jake Davis teamed up with RMHC-KC kids on an art project to put the finishing touches on the Sporting Kansas City-themed Gaming Room, Family Room and Kids Room on the lower level of the Bernstein House in Kansas City, Missouri.Â
"The work that the group has done here is incredible. It's a really cool space and for a great cause as well. It's an amazing setup," said Russell. "The Victory Project does an unbelievable job. It's nice to have a bit of fun with the kids. We know it's such a horrible time for them so if we can come here and take their mind off it for a little bit and have a bit of fun, that's the goal."
The space was originally a collaboration between Sporting KC and RMHC-KC in conjunction with the 2013 MLS Cup. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary in 2023, The Victory Project updated the new and improved rooms with the help of local designer Carly Jossund (Astrid Design Group), muralist John Raux (Sike Style Industries) and supporter Marc Merry (Samsung Electronics America).
"It's amazing," said Adam Miller, a member of the RMHC-KC Board of Directors. "Every piece of this was meticulously designed and it shows. Our kids and our families deserve that. They are going through a lot. To have a space like this that provides a respite for them to be able to step away from the challenges, if only for a little while, is something that everyone can enjoy and can bring them together. The Victory Project has been a partner of the Ronald McDonald House for 10 years and has donated $70,000 between 2022 and 2023 to make this space a possibility."
About The Victory Project
The Victory Project is a philanthropic foundation established by Sporting Kansas City in 2013 to help children through all of life's challenges by uniting players, staff, fans and community partners across the region. Through numerous events and initiatives, The Victory Project is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the lives of children battling cancer, providing special experiences and opportunities to kids with disabilities and creating a more welcoming soccer environment for local youth. To learn more and to make a donation, visit VictoryKC.org.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City is to reduce the burden of childhood illness on children and their families. They do this by keeping families close to their sick children when they are receiving medical care at Kansas City-area hospitals. On any given night, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City serves 91 families. Since 1981, our Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms provided comfort and care to more than 108,000 families. By providing a comfortable place to stay, warm meals and other supportive services, RMHC-KC works to keep families together during a difficult time. Families staying at RMHC-KC will experience a safe, peaceful environment so they can focus on what's most important: their child's health. Learn more at www.rmhckc.org.
