Teammates for Kids

Royals Win ... Kids Win!
Garth Royals

"Hey Royals fans … you know I love baseball … and I love my friends in Kansas City.

So I want to invite you to join me and your favorite Royals in becoming a Kansas City Teammate for Kids.

The Teammates for Kids Foundation helps children around the World and right here in Kansas City."

Here’s how you can be part of the team:

Make a donation for every ROYALS WIN
You can make a difference

Jerry, we'll miss you!

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Jerry Zucker, an influential leader and devoted family man. Jerry and Anita Zucker participated in many Teammates for Kids events over the years. His family was an honored part of our family. Jerry’s brilliance and generosity were evident through his involvement with many organizations in his community of Charleston, South Carolina and around the world. We are grateful to have known Jerry Zucker as a great friend and partner. We tip our hearts in tribute to Jerry Zucker’s life … a life abundantly lived!

Hospital ZONE News
Fort Worth Zone

The Teammates for Kid Foundation was honored to take part in two ZONE happenings this past January.

The first ZONE unveiling took place in Fort Worth Texas at Cook Children’s Medical Center. Garth Brooks and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman participated in the Grand Opening of an updated therapeutic area called the ZONE Playroom. Garth’s efforts with the NHL, the NHL Players Association and Teammates for Kids provided space for the new area once called Aikman’s End Zone. The two superstars jumped right into the game atmosphere. Garth lent his cowboy hat to Troy, who tested his ability by playing video air guitar. Despite his best fingering maneuvers, Aikman graciously took a loss. Garth, facing 9-year-old patient Rodnick Phillips, also accepted a loss during his NHL video game attempt and turned to playing Go Fish.

The second ZONE event was a groundbreaking that took place at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at their Scottish Rite campus. Garth flew to Atlanta arriving in the early morning hours after completing his final show at the Staples Center, for the Fire Intervention Relief Effort. The Sunday morning ZONE groundbreaking forecasted a collection of interactive activity areas for children receiving treatment at the hospital. Underwritten by Teammates for Kids, the official charity of the NHL and NHLPA, the Atlanta ZONE will be the sixth such facility in the United States. Also in attendance were Dr. Jim Tally, CEO of the Atlanta facility, Rex Carpenter of HKS Architects, National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman, Paul Kelly Executive Director of the Players’ Association, Thrashers General Manager and Head Coach Don Waddell as well as players Jim Slater from the Thrashers, goaltender Tim Thomas from the Bruins and the kids favorite, Atlanta mascot Thrash.

Each Children’s Hospital ZONE is a place created for children to laugh and play … and always a place where doctors and needles are kept away!

Field meets Stage at Teammates for Kids Appreciation Party

The playing field was center stage in Nashville on January 20 & 21 for the annual Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Appreciation event. Athletes and personnel from Major League Baseball, Arena Football and Major League Soccer along with Foundation partners came together to celebrate helping kids.

Hosted by Garth, the two-day event began with a BBQ in his Nashville barn. The barn was filled with Garth’s countless music awards as well as his band’s tour bus. Steve Levy and Barry Melrose from ESPN, opened the party as they have so many times at past events. Barry added his customary limit of one, off-color joke. Foundation President Don Johnson and Executive Vice President Scott Zebedis greeted guests and gave Foundation updates. Garth removed his hat as he welcomed guests to the event.

The next evening, a reception was followed by dinner served center stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Co-Founder Bo Mitchell presented the invocation. At the conclusion of dinner, Steve and Barry talked with four special kids during the Kids Program. Each associated with a local Nashville charity, their stories were appreciated with a round of applause that launched the auction. The LIVE auction featured baseball collections along with one-of-a-kind items from Garth’s 2007 concert series and his 2007 music video’s “More than a Memory” and “Working for a Livin”’ with Huey Lewis. Following the auction, Arena Football Commissioner David Baker graciously welcomed Garth for his performance.

On this night, the question could’ve come up ... Got Pink?
Garth played a pink guitar as he guided guests on a musical journey through his career. The pink guitar debuted together with his pink album released to benefit Susan G. Komen breast cancer efforts. Special friends Bill and Tani Austin of The Starkey Hearing Foundation, took home the pink guitar with their winning bid of $85,000. This bid along with additional auction contributions and generous donations from Board member Sharon Magness-Blake and Garth, added up to a big win for “the kids.” The Teammates event like the distinct pink on the guitar face, offered a unique Opryland experience for all who attended.

Special Thanks to Tracy Greenwood for all her efforts to coordinate event details for the Nashville Appreciation Party.

Katie Hamilton

Sixteen year old Katie Hamilton attended the Teammates for Kids Appreciation party in Nashville to partake in the Kids Program on behalf of The Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee. Katie participated in the “My Life, My Choice, My Plan Summer Camp,” hosted by the Down Syndrome Association. She described for the Teammates guests her favorite camp activities that included swimming, crafts and spending time with Gnash, The Nashville Predators Mascot who was a camp visitor. Katie enjoyed the party at the Grand Ole Opry with her parents.