Lauren Wants To Know

Check presentation for Reading, Kansas

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I’d like to share a story!

Months of preparation finally paid off — literally. With help from KCTV5, Cumulus Radio, Heartland Habitat for Humanity, and all who contributed time and money for the Rebuild Reading campaign, we were able to present a check to Reading in hopes of helping rebuild the lives and homes destroyed in last May’s tornadoes. The lovely and spirited Barbara was here to represent those from the small, rural town of Reading. Not only was she here to accept the check, but she shed some serious news on a local couple from Lenexa, Kansas.

Bill Holthouse’s name was chosen from the 2000+ names in the drawing for the 2012 Chevy Convertible Camaro. He and Mrs. Holthouse were on their way home from the hospital after having had back surgery several days before. A little weary about the voice message they received from McCarthy, they called back to see what this assumed “sales call” was about! Fifteen minutes later, the couple rushed onto the showroom floor in complete shock and disbelief. They had just won a brand new red Camaro on a $40 donation to our Rebuild Reading campaign. And on top of that, they were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary THAT very day!

One lucky family!

What a wonderful story, for a wonderful cause, and for a wonderful local family!

Ladies, have I got your attention?! For all you shoe fanatics out there, here’s a chance for you to spread the love.

Twelve years ago, Elite Feet started collecting and donating shoes to a single charitable organization in Shawnee, Kansas. Since then it has expanded to helping the homeless and under served families in our own backyard through donations to five different charities.

Shoe Kansas City will be distributing these shoes to the homeless via Catholic Charities on the Kansas side and City Union Mission Family Division on the Missouri side. Last year, 12,000 shoes were collected, but lost jobs and the recession means Kansas City is upping the ante to 15,000 pairs this year. It’s getting cold out there, so help us do even better!

I know there’s a couple sneakers and boots in my closet that haven’t seen daylight in some time. So take a moment, clean out your closet and help those in need.

The Hawthorne Plaza Shops, Shawnee Mission School District and McCarthy Auto Group will be drop-off locations for your gently used shoes this year.

Imagine for one second, losing everything you own. Everything you’ve worked for disappears, everything you’ve cherished, destroyed. For over 250 people in Reading, Kansas, that’s exactly what happened when tornadoes tore through the tiny town early this summer.

Now, imagine starting over.

This Saturday, October 15 from 8 a.m.-11 a.m., McCarthy Auto Group and Heartland Habitat for Humanity, along with KCTV5 and Cumulus Radio, are hosting a radio/telethon. The mission? To restore the lives and homes of Reading, Kansas.

One more thing… My pops decided to raffle off a new car in hopes of raising more money for Reading. So, if you like new, red, fast things, this may be right up your alley! Tickets are $40, and there will be a limit of 3,000 sold. A guaranteed winner will speed away in a super hot, red, convertible SS Camaro from McCarthy!

If you’re looking to help out (or win a new car), buy your tickets at http://www.heartlandhabitat.org/donate!

When tragedy occurs, it’s our moral obligation to help out. So join us and do the right thing!

500 meter swim, 10 mile bike, 3 mile run

Smithville Lake

After the pour down and hour delay Saturday morning, the WIN for KC triathlon kicked into gear. With a total of 718 participants, all 718 crossed the finish line with an average of 1 hour and 31 minutes – ranging from 12 years of age to 71 years old. Check out the race results!

On top of that, this local triathlon received official certification as a green race by the Council for Responsible Sport (ReSport), an organization that provides an independent, comprehensive certification for sustainable athletic events.

WIN for KC has a goal of engaging thousands of women and girls in athletics … through programs, camps and events like this.

Seeing that sports have played such an important role in my life; it only makes sense to spread the word and passion for competition and athletics to the younger generations. I was more than honored to be a sponsor of this years’ triathlon and witness such an incredible and emotional accomplishment made by each of these women!

2011 WIN for KC Triathlon