This article is a follow-up to: Jayhawks’ Bill Self, Actor/Comedian Rob Riggle Headline KVC Hero Luncheon for Charity (Pictured above: Individuals who stepped up to become Everyday Heroes for children along with special guests Coach Bill Self and Rob Riggle) 

More than 550 people from all over the Kansas City metro filled the Olathe Conference Center at the Embassy Suites for the 5th Annual KVC Hero Luncheon on Thursday, June 16. 41 Action News Anchor Christa Dubill emceed the event for the third year in a row, and KVC President and CEO Jason Hooper spoke about the organization’s participation in neuroscience research, highlighting the need for children to develop resiliency and build healthy brains through positive interactions with adults and caregivers.

The audience gave a standing ovation after viewing an emotionally moving short film featuring KVC Therapist and Adoption Supervisor Chrissy Reynolds. She grew up in an abusive home before entering foster care at a young age, and when safely returning home wasn’t an option, a foster family cared for her and eventually adopted her. Through her work at KVC, Chrissy has been able to help other children and families in crisis.

Sports Radio 810 host Nate Bukaty facilitated a lively discussion about sports, kids and heroes with University of Kansas Basketball Coach Bill Self and actor/comedian Rob Riggle. He also surprised Self and Riggle with a hilarious game featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show called “Never Have I Ever.” All three guests responded to several statements such as ‘Never have I ever Googled myself,’ and ‘Never have I ever dressed like a pop star or rap singer” by holding up paddles that said ‘I have’ or ‘I have never.’ The audience got to see photos of some of the ‘I have’ responses, and even received some great advice from Riggle after he admitted to streaking across the University of Kansas campus.

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to TransAm Trucking and all of our generous sponsors (see sponsors below); to our VIP speakers including Bill Self, Rob Riggle, Nate Bukaty and Christa Dubill; to our own Chrissy Reynolds for sharing her powerful story and everyone who attended the luncheon to discover how to help foster families and children in need.

Thanks to the support of so many heroes, we raised more than $185,000 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.

View more photos from the 2016 Hero Luncheon on Facebook

or click through this slideshow:

Thank you to our sponsors!