Kansas City Royals, Heart to Heart link up for tsunami relief

February 16, 2005 (Olathe, Kan.) — Heart to Heart International, Kansas City’s humanitarian relief organization, today received another shot of adrenaline in its long-term tsunami relief effort in South Asia. Dan Glass, Kansas City Royals team president, handed Jon North, Heart to Heart’s CEO, a check for $10,000 toward the relief effort and welcomed Heart to Heart into Royals Charities.

“This is a big day for Heart to Heart,” North said. “Not only will this initial gift enable us to deliver nearly $250,000 worth of aid to disaster victims in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, but it’s also the beginning of a wonderful relationship with the Kansas City Royals. We’re excited about the potential of this relationship — for both organizations.”

North spoke to 30 Royals associates today at Kauffman Stadium, updating them on Heart to Heart’s activities in the areas affected by the tsunami and the organization’s plans over the next six months.

Afterward, Mr. Glass presented Heart to Heart with the cash gift, which he said was collected by the entire Royals organization.

“Here at Kauffman Stadium, we live and breathe baseball, especially as we’re heading into Spring Training,” Glass said. “But the global humanitarian work of Heart to Heart brings a dose of reality to our world and inspires us. We’re pleased to be working with a local organization that is literally connecting the Royals to a world in need.”

Providing relief to disaster victims is familiar to Heart to Heart. The group has led several Kansas City-based humanitarian responses, both nationally and internationally.