NFL legend Will Shields returns to KC Cares to celebrate ten years of My Cause My Cleats. What started as a simple idea — customizing cleats to highlight causes — has evolved into a powerful storytelling platform for players, fans, and nonprofits. Joined by Kansas City Chiefs players, the episode reveals the personal stories behind the designs: mental health advocacy, childhood cancer, and grief support. Together, they show how football can create change that lasts far beyond the field.

https://kccaresonline.org/my-cause-my-cleats-nfl-players/

On this episode of KC Cares we talk with Stan Hays, founder of Operation BBQ Relief. When a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, pitmaster Stan Hays answered the call the only way he knew how—with barbecue. That moment lit the flame for Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit now serving hundreds of thousands in times of crisis. In this KC Cares interview, Stan shares the emotional roots of OBR, the gaps it fills in disaster relief, and how barbecue became therapy through Camp OBR. It's not just about food—it's about connection, comfort, and showing up when it matters most.

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Name: Stan Hayes

Title: Co-Founder & CEO

Organization: Operation BBQ Relief

Website: https://obr.org

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What Questions are answered?

1. What is Operation BBQ Relief?

2. How did Operation BBQ Relief start?

3. What is Camp OBR?

4. How can I volunteer with Operation BBQ Relief?

5. Is Operation BBQ Relief active outside of disasters?

In this Ask the Expert episode, we sit down with Dr. Thomas Vansaghi from UMKC's Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership to unpack the critical need for rainy day funds in nonprofit operations. From weathering revenue disruptions to boosting donor trust, Dr. Vansaghi lays out practical steps to start, structure, and sustain a reserve fund. Whether you're a seasoned ED or a scrappy startup, this conversation offers must-hear insights on long-term nonprofit sustainability.

1. What is a rainy day fund in a nonprofit?

2. How much should a nonprofit keep in a reserve fund?

3. Is a rainy day fund the same as an endowment?

4. Can donors fund a rainy day fund?

5. What are examples of earned income for nonprofits?