Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update
December 1, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
"Kicks For Kids" Holiday Party Scheduled for Thursday, December 2nd
The Kansas City Wizards will host their 4th annual "Kicks for Kids" Holiday party on Thursday, December 2nd in the Pavilion at Arrowhead from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT. The Wizards will ring in the holidays with 300 children from Operation Breakthrough, Campfire USA, Kansas City's Promise, Horizon Academy, the Don Bosco Center and other area youth non-profit organizations.
The Kicks for Kids Holiday Party will feature special visits from Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and the Wizards mascot Dynamo the Dragon. Festivities include a magic show by Eric Vaughn and dinner sponsored by Papa John's Pizza and Pepsi.
The Wizards 4th annual "Kicks for Kids" Holiday Party was made possible thanks to the generous support throughout the year from the following sponsors: adidas, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Coach's Bar & Grill, Dean's Trophies, DST Systems, Firefighters Local #42, Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital, HRS Erase, Hyatt Crown Center, KC Cancer Center, KOHL's, Learning Quest, Miracor Diagnostics, Perceptive Vision, Rubins Kase Rubins Cambiano & Bryant, Simone Fontana Memorial, Toyota Motor Sales, Vermeil Enterprises and VF Imagewear.
For more information on the Wizards Kicks for Kids Holiday Party and how you can become involved in the Kicks for Kids program please contact the Wizards office at 816-920-9300.
Wizards Host Holiday Party for Season Ticket Holders on December 13th
Season Ticket Holders are invited to celebrate the holidays with the Wizards during their annual Holiday Party on Monday, December 13th. This year's Holiday Party will take place at the American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CT. Wizards players and a special visitor from the North Pole will be in attendance.
Food will be provided compliments of Panda Express and drinks will be provided courtesy of Pepsi. All fans in attendance may also enjoy complimentary ice skating at the Ice Terrace at Crown Center.
Fans are encouraged to bring a toy or a canned good to be donated to New House, a shelter for battered women and children. Please RSVP to Kim O'Dell at 816-920-4730 by Friday, December 10th.
Stephenson Impressive with Jamaican National Team
Kansas City Wizards midfielder Khari Stephenson has been impressive with the Jamaican National Team in the Caribbean Football Union's Digicel Cup, the Caribbean Qualifying Tournament for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Stephenson scored Jamaica's first goal in the 20th minute in their 3-1 win against Haiti on Sunday, November 28th. His goal on Sunday was Stephenson's third in three matches after scoring a goal in the 40th minute against the US Virgin Islands on Friday, November 26th and a goal in the 18th minute of Jamaica's Digicel Cup opener against Saint Martin on Wednesday, November 24th.
Jamaica advanced to the Second Round of the Digicel Cup where they will be grouped with St. Lucia and St. Kitts & Nevis, in two home-and-away series in December. The third round series will take place in mid-January and the Final will take place in late February 2005. Three teams from the Digicel Cup will qualify for the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup(tm) to be held in the United States from July 6th through the 24th.
Gutierrez Coordinates Online Auction to Benefit St. John LaLande Athletic Field Renovation
Kansas City Wizards midfielder and Blue Springs community member, Diego Gutierrez has partnered with St. John LaLande Catholic Church to raise money for the school athletic field renovation project. Gutierrez and the Wizards will auction off game-worn cleats on eBay beginning today.
To start, Gutierrez and eight other teammates have each donated an authentic, game-worn, autographed pair of soccer cleats. Proceeds from the auction will help fund the athletic field renovation project. Funds raised will improve the safety for more than 500 children in Blue Springs who use the athletic field located on the parish campus.
Players cleats up for auction include Diego Gutierrez, Chris Klein, Kerry Zavagnin, Josh Wolff and several other Wizards players. All items are up for bid on eBay, at www.eBay.com (keywords: Wizards Autographed Soccer Cleats), through Friday, December 10, 2004.
The school has partnered with several local businesses that are providing labor and services in-kind. Gutierrez and the school look to raise over $13,000 to fund the remaining project cost. This auction along with additional fundraising opportunities will hope to offset the cost and help the children in the community continue to grow and have the opportunity to participate in recreational sports.
Wizards Upcoming Events Schedule (All Times CT, subject to change):
Thursday, December 2nd 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Wizards "Kicks for Kids" Holiday Party The Pavilion at Arrowhead
Friday, December 3rd 9:00am - 1:00pm, Field Trip Day at Arrowhead Curt Johnson and Nick Garcia address visiting students, followed by Stadium tours
Monday, December 13th 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Wizards Season Ticket Holder Holiday Party American Heartland Theatre at Crown Center
Major League Soccer Stories from December 1, 2004
- ChivaBono Season Ticket Packages Now on Sale for Club Deportivo Chivas USA's Inaugural Season - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- D.C. United Holds Holiday Toy Drive - D.C. United
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- Dallas to Host 2005 Edition of InterligaT - FC Dallas
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