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CONTACT: Pete Abitante (212/450-2065) TONY GONZALEZ MAKES SICK CHILDREN SMILE TONY GONZALEZ cares about kids – especially those who are ill. So it’s no surprise that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end will be the keynote speaker at “Laughing for Smiles,” the eighth annual Shadow Buddies dinner and auction on September 25 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Shadow Buddies provides educational and emotional support for seriously ill children in need of medical attention. Each buddy (doll) given to a child focuses on a specific condition such as diabetes, oncology/cancer, burns, respiratory ailments, HIV/AIDS, etc. Gonzalez has been involved with the Shadow Buddies Foundation since establishing his own Tony Gonzalez Foundation in 1998. While the primary purpose of Shadow Buddies is to comfort children and adults, it also serves as an important role in educating children and families about a particular disease or medical condition and its treatment. “My knee injury in 1998 helps show children that even professional athletes like myself aren’t invincible,” says Gonzalez. Recently, Gonzalez helped raise money for Shadow Buddies by hosting a meet-and-greet at a restaurant in Kansas City. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from that night were donated to the Tony Gonzalez Foundation to help support Shadow Buddies. The Tony Gonzalez Foundation also provides support for disadvantaged youth through the Boys and Girls Clubs. “Exercising your mind is the most important thing you can do,” Gonzalez says. He provides 10 Chiefs season tickets to Boys & Girls Clubs as incentives for club members. The Chiefs face the Houston Texans on Sunday in Houston. A win would give the Chiefs their first 3-0 start since 1996. With 401 career receptions, Gonzalez needs 10 to move ahead of OTIS TAYLOR (410) for second place in Chiefs annals, and 16 to bypass HENRY MARSHALL (416) as Kansas City’s all-time reception leader. Last season, Gonzalez had 63 catches for 773 yards, ranking him third among NFL tight ends. |