(August 29, 2007) - The Kansas City Wizards, Kansas City Chiefs and The Ali Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E.) Foundation announced today they will be hosting a FREE self defense training session for women and young girls over age 12 on Thursday, September 13. Held at the Kansas City Chiefs indoor practice facility, the program will run from 6-8 p.m. with registration beginning at 5 p.m. Sign-ups are available immediately online at www.kcwizards.com/takedefense.
"As a fellow Blue Valley North graduate and someone who grew up at the same time Ali did, this organization and effort hold a special place in my heart," Wizards Community Relations Manager Erin Lawless said. "This is a wonderful program that the Kemp family has undertaken to help turn a truly tragic event into a positive for so many people across Kansas City and, eventually, the nation. The Wizards are honored to co-sponsor this event."
Participants in the two-hour training session will receive one (1) free ticket to the Kansas City Wizards home match against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m. CT. Additional tickets to the match may be purchased through the program at $15, of which $5 will be donated directly to T.A.K.E. Foundation. The American Royal has generously donated a free ticket for each participant to their "Women's Ranch Rodeo" to be held on Saturday, October 27, beginning at 11 a.m.
"Our thanks to the Wizards and Chiefs organizations for giving us this fantastic opportunity," said Roger Kemp, founder of The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation. "There are so many women who love Kansas City sports, and understand that preparation plays an important role in life. We really hope the women and girls of the Kansas City metro area take advantage of the generosity of these two professional organizations."
Women are encouraged to sign up with a partner in order to get the most out of the event. Class size is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information about the program or T.A.K.E. Foundation, visit www.takedefense.org.
About The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation The T.A.K.E. Defense Training program provides young girls and women with hands-on self-defense training that is provided by the Ali Kemp Educational Foundation as part of their mission to develop comprehensive programs for safety awareness for women of all ages. Alexandra Kemp (Ali to everyone who knew her) was a beautiful and caring nineteen-year-old girl who was murdered while working at a neighborhood pool in Johnson County, Kansas.
Ali represented the finest of her generation. She excelled in school where she was an honors student, both at Blue Valley North High School and at Kansas State University. She was a skilled sports enthusiast, competing in soccer, volleyball and basketball. Ali served as a volunteer, giving generously of her time and talents to many endeavors in her church, community, and at Kansas State where she had just finished her freshman year as a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
Most of all, Ali excelled in life as a wonderful person, daughter, sister and friend to all who she touched. Over 1,400 of Ali's friends and family members came to her funeral, a special testimony to a life far too short, but full of accomplishments far beyond her years.
About the Kansas City Wizards The Kansas City Wizards celebrate their twelfth season in Major League Soccer with the innovative vision of new ownership and the aggressive, attacking style of a new coaching staff. The organization possesses the drive to spearhead new ideas and make the Wizards the premier organization in MLS. Kansas City was introduced as one of the 10 charter members of MLS on June 6, 1995. The Wizards have captured two major championships in team history. The Wizards won the 2000 MLS Cup Championship and then the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy. The Wizards continue to strive for excellence on and off the field and pride themselves on their ability to touch lives in the Midwest and make Kansas City a better place to live through philanthropic activities.
