This article is a follow-up to: KU Coach Bill Self and Former Jayhawk Scot Pollard Headline KVC Hero Luncheon Charity Event

On Thursday, June 15, more than 550 people from all over the Kansas City metro filled the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel ballroom for the 6th Annual KVC Hero Luncheon. 41 Action News Anchor Christa Dubill welcomed guests and emceed the event for the fourth year in a row. KVC President and CEO Jason Hooper recognized and thanked the event sponsors in the room and discussed the need for caring individuals in every community to rally around and support children and families who are experiencing crisis.

The audience gave a standing ovation after viewing an emotionally powerful video of an 11-year-old girl named Sierra who endured a traumatic childhood. Growing up, she was neglected, abused and never felt safe in her own home. With no one making sure her needs were being met, she decided she needed to take care of herself and her brother. Sierra’s foster parents Kelly and Rick Patterson have been instrumental in helping her heal, experience the love and support she deserves, and just enjoy being a kid.

Participating in the luncheon for his third year in a row was Sports Radio 810 host Nate Bukaty who facilitated a lively discussion about sports, kids and heroes with University of Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self and former Jayhawk, NBA player, media personality and reality TV star Scot Pollard. As in past years, Bukaty surprised Self and Pollard with a game featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show called “Epic or Fail.” All three guests viewed photos of themselves over the years highlighting their choices in attire, hair styles, cars, pets and celebrity friends. Using paddles labeled “epic” or “fail,” they voted on whether they thought their choices were good or not so good.

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to our presenting sponsor Holmes Murphy, lead sponsors Garmin, Bank of Blue Valley, IMA, Michelle and Jarret Schmidt and Spencer Fane, and to all of our generous sponsors listed below; to our featured guests including Bill Self, Scot Pollard, Nate Bukaty and Christa Dubill; to Sierra and Kelly and Rick Patterson for sharing their inspiring story and to everyone who attended the luncheon to discover how to be a hero for children in foster care and the families that care for them.

Thanks to the support of so many heroes, we raised more than $160,000 to help children and families in our community!

If you didn’t get a chance to sign up as an Everyday Hero, there’s still time for you to help and we need your support! Visit www.everydayhero.org for more information.

Read more in the Kansas City Star

View more photos from the 2017 Hero Luncheon on Facebook

or click through this slideshow:

Thank you to our sponsors!