Volunteers take to the streets to help kids on Greater Kansas City Day

A brisk breeze whipped across Tom Van Dyke’s face Friday morning as he stood at 63rd Street and Brookside Boulevard selling special editions of The Kansas City Star to raise money for disadvantaged children.

The temperatures, which were less than springlike, didn’t deter Van Dyke and hundreds of fellow volunteers who fanned out across the area selling papers as part of the annual Greater Kansas City Day.

Organizers estimated they raised nearly $200,000 for the Rotary Youth Camp Foundation as well as other children’s charities that benefit disabled and disadvantaged youths.

Greater Kansas City Day — a collaborative effort of The Star, the Royals and area Rotary Clubs — coincides with the Royals’ home opener, which takes place Sunday evening.

Van Dyke, who was dressed more like he was ready to go to a late-season Chiefs game, marveled at the constant traffic on 63rd Street. In years past, Van Dyke hawked papers at 119th Street and State Line Road.

“There is quite a bit of traffic here and people have been very generous,” said Van Dyke, a Rotary member who has volunteered selling papers for the past seven years. “It’s a little cold, but in the past we have sold these in the rain and I’ll tell you, the cold is better than the rain.”

To collect from commuters streaming downtown from the Northland, volunteers were out in force on Missouri 9 into North Kansas City. Within about five minutes, several people had made donations for the Rotary’s youth camps to volunteer Joe Berrigan.

“It’s a fun time of year,” Berrigan said. “You’re helping a good cause and it kicks off the baseball season.”

Berrigan, 28, said he has participated in Greater Kansas City Day most years since he was 11 or 12 years old, when his scoutmaster encouraged him to get involved.

He and the other volunteers gathered at 5:30 a.m. and began hawking papers 30 minutues later.

Dani Wolfe rolled down her car window and bought a paper. A nurse with Children’s Mercy Hospital, she said she was happy to help area youths. Deena James also pulled to the side of the road to buy a paper. A member of the Rotary Club in the Northland, she was eager to contribute as well.

Lee’s Summit resident Fred Liggett was assigned to a corner at 119th Street and State Line Road in Leawood.

It’s the seventh or eighth year he has joined pretty much the same group of people to sell papers.

On Friday morning, he wore his Royals fan gear. Despite the early hours, he said, “I enjoy interacting with fellow fans. Everyone is geared up for the coming season.”

The World Series Celebration Rally also took place Friday at Union Station. Former Royals and Chiefs players signed autographs, and fans were able to have their picture taken while standing next to the World Series trophy.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 8:32 AM with the headline "Volunteers take to the streets to help kids on Greater Kansas City Day."