In 1992, Jim Shultz pitched Red Friday idea to Clark Hunt’s father Lamar Hunt; 34 years later, Kansas City Chiefs tradition raises roughly $10 million for local charities (Image via Getty: Clark Hunt and Kansas City Chiefs logo)
In 1992, the late Jim Shultz, the first president of the Chiefs’ Red Coaters, pitched a Red Friday idea to Chiefs founder and Clark Hunt’s father, Lamar Hunt. 35 years later, the idea raised roughly $10 million for local charities, with children and families remaining at the core of its mission. The very latest milestone came in October 2026, when the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the Chiefs Kingdom had raised $1 million for Ronald McDonald House of Charities – Kansas City through the 35th annual celebration of Red Friday initiative – which goes as Red Thursday or Red Wednesday too. It was established in 1963, when the franchise moved from Dallas to Kansas City. In 1992, Shultz wanted to create an event to excite Kansas City fans for the Chiefs’ season opener. A few months back, rain-jacket-clad CEO Clark Hunt was video-recorded giving away $5 Chiefs flags to locals in cars while it was raining heavily. The 2026 celebration marked the 35th annual event of the Red Friday tradition. The event took place on Thursday, September 10, to celebrate Chiefs football.
As a result, there was a Red Wednesday/Thursday/Friday event.
So, Shultz approached Clark Hunt’s father, Lamar Hunt, with the “Red Friday” idea. What started as an earnest idea to bring Kansas City Chiefs fans together ahead of the NFL season eventually transformed into one of the franchise’s most impactful community traditions. This heartfelt achievement shows how a simple idea can continue to make a meaningful impact beyond the football gridiron for three generations together. The Kansas City Chiefs Red Coaters are a long-standing, volunteer community-service organization that supports the Kansas City Chiefs and gives back to the greater Kansas City region. The Red Coaters organization consisted of businesspeople committed to supporting the Chiefs and its community. Its earnest involvement in promoting the franchise helped bridge the gap between the Chiefs and the wider Kansas City region. Jim Shultz served as the first president of the Red Coaters. The very first Red Friday featured Lamar Hunt and Red Coaters members selling specially produced Chiefs newspapers on the Kansas City streets. Every dollar raised went directly to local charities and organizations helping children and families in the Kansas City area. What started as a community fundraising campaign quickly became a big celebration featuring pep rallies, entertainment, and appearances by Chiefs players and cheerleaders, along with opportunities to promote individual charitable causes. Over time, the fundraising merchandise moved from newspapers to commemorative magazines and eventually Chiefs-themed flags. Anyhow, the Red Friday event changed locations and sometimes shifted dates to adjust to the Chiefs’ NFL schedule. Changing locations and days did not alter its central theme: bringing fans together to support people in need. It was called Red Thursday.
Online purchases cost a $10 donation. The event continued during the Chiefs’ September 15 season opener against the Denver Broncos. The Hunt Family Foundation’s 50/50 raffle contributed to the final total. In October 2026, the franchise announced that the Red Thursday initiative raised $1 million for Ronald McDonald House Kansas City [RMHC-KC]. This Red Thursday, we raised $1 million for Ronald McDonald House Kansas City to help keep families together when it matters most [red heart emoji]. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City [RMHC-KC] joined the Red Friday fundraising initiative as a beneficiary in 2013. The Kansas City Chiefs’ latest announcement of raising $1 million also highlights the broader impact of the Red Friday tradition started by Jim Shultz and Clark Hunt’s father, Lamar Hunt, in 1992. As per the franchise, roughly $10 million has been raised for local charities since the initiative’s inception. The Chiefs confirmed over $8.5 million has been raised for Ronald McDonald House – Kansas City over 14 years, including the 2026 contribution. In 2023, the 32nd Red Friday initiative raised over $1 million for RMHC-KC. Flag sales generated over $900K while the Hunt Family Foundation’s 50/50 raffle contributed $113K. In 2024, the 33rd annual event raised $1 million. In 2025, the 34th edition raised another $1 million through flag sales.
Fans could purchase limited-edition flags featuring Chiefs head coach Andy Reid’s common phrase, “How ‘Bout Those Chiefs,” at participating McDonald’s locations and Hy-Vee stores across Kansas City regions for a $5 donation. “To see Chiefs Kingdom come together year after year, rain or shine, to raise $1 million for our families is simply extraordinary,” said Tami Greenberg, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Kansas City. Chiefs’ players Kenneth Walker III and Jalen Royals, along with the franchise’s community care team members and vice president of community impact and civic affairs, Anne Scharf, attended the RMHC-KC facility. They spent their valuable time with children and families. Later, they joined them for a Halloween-themed arts & crafts and donation announcement. The Chiefs’ official LinkedIn account posted about its heartfelt achievement, with the caption: “You outdid yourselves again, Chiefs Kingdom! A LinkedIn user by the name of Julia Boyes, who works at Ethisphere, wrote a heartfelt comment for the Chiefs post, “Stuff like this is why I’m so proud to be part of the Chiefs Kingdom. Thank you all!!! Ronald McDonald House has been a blessing to many [including to my own family back in the 90s], and it shows the true character of the Chiefs that you all serve in this way. The partnership speaks volumes about a shared commitment to helping families facing childhood illness. RMHC-KC provides accommodation and supportive services to such families whose children require medical treatment at KC-area hospitals. This helps parents stay close to their children without having to look for and afford accommodation elsewhere. Their stated mission is – “We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare. The RMHC-KC has three houses near Children’s Mercy Hospital, one house inside the hospital, and a Ronald McDonald Family Room at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. The organization’s services are available to families wanting pediatric care across the KC region. They provide a home away from home. “When a family is going through the toughest fight of their lives, knowing an entire city is standing behind them brings a comfort that goes far beyond words. We cannot thank the fans, volunteers, and the entire Chiefs organization enough for wrapping arms of support around our families during their hardest days. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines The organization has continued to receive significant support through the annual flag campaign and fundraising efforts. It has been over three decades now; the Chiefs continue to cherish and carry forward Lamar Hunt and Jim Shultz’s common-purpose vision, thereby proving the franchise’s influence beyond the football gridiron – deep in the hearts of every Kansas City citizen. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.