Kansas City, Mo. — (August 31, 2022) Big Brothers Big Sister announces the launch of the second season for the “Turn the Corner” campaign, a city-wide fundraising effort to make an impact in the Kansas City community by empowering kids with mentors and resources needed to reach their full potential. L’Jarius’ support helps Big Brothers Big Sisters match waiting kids with positive role models and helps remove financial barriers and open doors for Littles in the BBBS program. Last season, L’Jarius’ Turn the Corner and Dream Builder’s campaigns helped make new Matches, support existing Matches and helped fund sports equipment, camps, swim lessons, musical instruments, and prom dresses and tuxes for Littles.
Turn the Corner launches August 31, at TurnTheCornerKC.org. Community members can join BBBSKC and L’Jarius Sneed for #TurnTheCornerKC by donating any dollar amount. Donors will also receive the following incentives based on their donation level:
● Donate $20 or more and entered into chance to win 2 tickets and attend the dinner with L’Jarius
● Donate $150 and get a signed mini-helmet
● Donate $500 and get a signed replica jersey
● Donate $1,000 and get a signed replica jersey and two seats at a VIP dinner with L’Jarius and a photo opportunity
In addition to the community donation campaign, Turn the Corner is happy to announce the launch of L’Jarius Sneed’s “The KC Takeaway” – a one-of-a-kind taste sensation starts with thin-sliced ham, topped with a generous portion of Zarda’s Award-Winning Limited Reserve Burnt Ends, followed with melted Pepper Jack cheese, Zarda’s juicy pulled pork, and L’Jarius’s favorite Zarda Bar-B-Q sauce – all standing tall on a toasted Roma bun. A portion of all KC Takeaway proceeds will benefit Sneed’s Turn the Corner.
The KC Takeaway will be available starting on Red Friday, September 9, at both area Zarda Bar-B-Q locations. In addition, Hy-Vee has partnered with Zarda to offer The KC Takeaway at twenty Kansas City area Hy-Vee stores – both at their Hy-Vee Market Grilles and at their Wahlburgers within Hy-Vee locations.
According to Sneed, “This is a great sandwich! I knew I wanted those great burnt ends to be a part of it, that, and the Pepper Jack cheese. But with the thin sliced ham, pulled pork and the sauce we picked to go with it, the KC Takeaway is definitely off the chain – the best sandwich I’ve ever had. And having it at both Zarda and at all the Hy-Ve stores is pretty awesome – this is going to help a lot of KC kids. With Big Brothers Big Sister I’m proud to support an organization that is empowering and defending the potential of children in Kansas City. The kids are our future and the next generation of game-changers, trail blazers, and difference makers.”
Zarda Bar-B-Q COO, Terry Hyer, echoed L’Jarius’s enthusiasm, “L’Jarius did a great job with this – we’re excited to work with him on this sandwich and increase our commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Trust me, once you’ve tried this sandwich, it won’t be your last! With Hy-Vee also offering The KC Takeaway it means we’ll be able to do even more to help out Big Brothers Big Sisters KC and Turn the Corner – that’s the delicious sauce on the top of it all!”
“We are so excited to bring the The KC Takeaway to our Hy-Vee customers! We’ve had a great relationship with the Chiefs – so being able to do this sandwich with L’Jarius for Big Brothers Big Sisters means a lot. At Hy-Vee, it’s important to us to give back to our community and to be able to do that while simultaneously bringing a delicious, local BBQ sandwich to our customers makes it even better!” said Zach Jones, Hy-Vee District Store Director.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City CEO, Micheal Lawrence, commented, “We are honored to have L’Jarius back for another season of Turn the Corner. And to be the recipient of such a great (and delicious) sandwich campaign. We know that the funds raised through Turn the Corner and The KC Takeaway will help support waiting littles in our community. We are grateful to L’Jarius, Hy-Vee, and Zarda for their efforts in defending potential.”
Starting September 9, Red Friday, The KC Takeaway will be available during the entire Kansas City Chiefs 2022-23 football season at both Zarda Bar-B-Q locations (Lenexa and Blue Springs), for dine-in, carryout, drive-thru or via online orders through Zarda.com. The KC Takeaway will also be available at all area Hy-Vee Market Grille and Hy-Vee Wahlburgers locations starting September 9 throughout the Chiefs season from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Sneed has set a goal to raise $25,000 this season for Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City. Funds raised from the campaign will stay right here in Kansas City to help match more children with a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Couple. Learn more at TurnTheCornerKC.org.
The kick-off event with L’Jarius Sneed, Zarda Bar-B-Q COO, Terry Hyer, Hy-Vee Store Director, Zach Jones, and BBBSKC CEO, Micheal Lawrence, is scheduled for 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 31 at Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, 1709 Walnut St., Kansas City.
Media wishing to cover the event, may contact Cyndi Clark with Level Marketing at (808) 783-3267 or email: [email protected], to schedule or discuss interview opportunities.
About Zarda Bar-B-Q
Since 1976 Zarda Bar-B-Q has been serving up legendary Kansas City bar-b-q, slow smoking our meats with Ozark Hickory – just the way you like ‘em! In 2018, Zarda was voted “Best Burnt Ends” by readers of the The Kansas City Star in the Chowtown Burnt End Bracket competition; and, if you’ve not tasted Zarda baked beans – get ready for a treat. When it comes to catering, whether feeding 10 or 10,000, Zarda has you covered. Zarda Bar-B-Q Blue Springs is located at 214 NW Hwy 7; Zarda Bar-B-Q Lenexa is located just off 87th Street at I-35; both of the Zarda locations are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Learn more at Zarda.com
About Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 285 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of more than $12 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 5 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 3 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 93,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City (BBBSKC) works to clear the path to a child’s biggest possible future by matching them with a caring, adult mentor in a one-to-one friendship. “Bigs” help “Littles” ignite, empower and defend their potential by standing with them. Last year, 99% of the Senior Littles graduated high school, 83% reported improved self-esteem and 71% reported improved grades since being matched. For more information about BBBSKC, visit www.bbbskc.org.
Media wishing to cover the event, may contact Cyndi Clark with Level Marketing at (808) 783-3267 or email: [email protected], to schedule or discuss interview opportunities.