The 2017 SKC Invitational has raised more than $530,000 for The Victory Project in its mission to help children battling cancer.
Held Friday night at the historic Muehlebach Hotel in downtown Kansas City, the SKC Invitational Tee-Off Dinner and Auction featured silent and live auctions as well as appearances from Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes and players Ilie and Seth Sinovic. Popular cover tunes were performed by musical groups Lost Wax and The Battery Tour to bookend the celebratory evening.
Remarkable contributions from more than 600 guests in attendance will assist The Victory Project in primary endeavors such as Sporting Wishes, a program that identifies children who receive a secondary cancer diagnosis or relapse and grants them a special wish.
Among the auction items were luxury vacation trips, VIP experiences at Children's Mercy Park, recently born puppies and a brilliant painting from visually impaired artist and Kansas native Jeff Hanson, pictured below.
The Victory Project also hosted the family of Sam Smith during Friday's event. Sam was the second recipient of a Sporting Wish and was previously a matchday honoree in 2013. The video above tells the Smith family's powerful story and sheds light on the very meaning of The Victory Project.
The Tee-Off Dinner and Auction served as a precursor to the 2017 SKC Invitational golf outing, which will take place next Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Loch Lloyd Golf Course. The annual occasion will include participation from Sporting KC players and coaches, with all funds raised going to The Victory Project.
To learn more about The Victory Project or to make a donation, visit VictoryKC.org.
