The Big Slick Boys (Eric Stonestreet, David Koechner, Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd & Jason Sudeikis) returned to Kansas City for one incredible weekend. (Photo property of Jacob Elyachar)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Kansas City’s biggest charity event took place this weekend.
Since 2010, the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend has raised over $3.25 million for Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Cancer Center. The weekend is co-hosted by KC natives and Hollywood heavyweights Rob Riggle, Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis, who were joined by fellow actors and co-hosted Eric Stonestreet and David Koechner in 2014.
Each year, the weekend continues to grow exponentially, and the hosts credited to Kansas City’s embrace to the fundraising weekend for its growing success.
“I want to say “Thank You” to the people of Kansas City for showing up,” said Rob Riggle. “We started this thing seven years ago, and the fact that it keeps growing blows me away.”
“We are all from this area, and it is a very wonderful and extraordinary event to come back home to and feel so welcomed.” Said David Koechner.
“It already feels good when I come back home.” Said Eric Stonestreet. “I have said in past interviews; I feel that I am getting a big bear hug because the city itself is so great.”
At the start of each weekend, the hosts’ first stop is to meet-up with the patients of Children’s Mercy Hospital and their families. When the hosts and their celebrity friends visit the hospital, Children’s Mercy Hospital’s Pediatrician in Chief, Dr. Michael Artman, immediately notices a positive change in both the patients and their families.
“They are caring and compassionate individuals who want to use their gifts and talent to give back to the community.” Said Dr. Artman. “When they meet with some of our patients and sick-hospitalized children, and they can ignite a spark of joy in that child’s eyes or put a smile on the face of parents facing uncertainty.”
Paul Rudd has a special moment with a Children’s Mercy Hospital patient. (Photo property of Jacob Elyachar)
For Ant-Man actor Paul Rudd, it is the bond building with Children’s Mercy Hospital patients and families that make this event precious.
“Over the last seven years, the personal connection that I felt with people that worked here and the kids that I have met has made this event more meaningful and extraordinary.” Said Paul Rudd. Being parents ourselves, we know what it is like to want the best for our children. To talk to the parents and hear them describe their children is a very moving experience.”
During one of his visits to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Eric Stonestreet connected with a patient who downloaded his show, the Emmy-winning Modern Family, as a way to keep track of their chemo treatments.
“When you have those sorts of stories, and they say to you: “You are getting me through these moments because I was able to watch so many episodes per treatment,” Stonestreet said. “It’s very selfish in a way, but it makes me realize that our important jobs are to make people laugh and forget the struggles that they are potentially going through at that moment.” It’s very selfish in a way, but it makes me realize that our important job is to make people laugh and forget the struggles that they are potentially going through at that moment.”
Originally, the Big Slick started out as a poker tournament and now has evolved into a full-fledged bowling and bocce tournament at Pinstripes in Overland Park, Kansas. By moving the event to Pinstripes, it has allowed more time for the hosts and their celebrity friends to develop their bonds with Children’s Mercy patients and their families. While Big Slick comes to a close Saturday night with a massive “Victory Party & Auction” at the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, several relationships that were built during the two-day event will continue to grow.
David Koechner interacts with a Children’s Mercy family as part of the Big Slick Weekend. (Photo property of Jacob Elyachar)
“Throughout the year, you might get a random Facebook message or see something on Twitter from a family that will thank you for helping them,” Koechner said. “Those words are significant and special to us.”
While dozens of celebrities including Will Forte, Tom Arnold, James Van Der Beek, Judy Greer, Olivia Wilde, George Wendt, Haley Joel Osment, James Marsden, David Cook, Chris Daughtry, Robert Smigel and Triumph the Insult Dog, joined in the fun at the tournament and a celebrity softball game at Kauffman Stadium, the hosts made sure that the real stars of the weekend were front and center.
“The work put into Big Slick by our volunteers and our families; it is just amazing.” Said Riggle. “A lot of cliché words like “gratitude,” “love,” and “compassion” being thrown around this weekend, but to us, they have a greater meaning.”
For more information about Big Slick and how you can donate to Children’s Mercy Hospital, visit the Big Slick website.
To view photos from the weekend, visit my Facebook page.
