The Kansas City Wizards and Dick's Sporting Goods (DSG) have teamed up for "Shop with a Player" Wednesday, September 10 at the Leawood Dick's Sporting Goods location (11801 Nall Ave Leawood, KS 66211). Fifty children participating in Spofford's Strengthening Families Program, a collaboration between Hickman Mills, Center and Grandview school districts, will receive $100 from DSG and get the chance to shop with Wizards players.

"We're excited to bring this 'Shop with a Player' opportunity to the children of Spofford courtesy of Dick's Sporting Goods," Wizards Community Relations Manager Erin Lawless said. "Spofford provides a wonderful service to our community, and we look forward to brightening the faces of the children they serve."

"The announcement of our partnership with Major League Soccer earlier this year was an illustration of the commitment Dick's Sporting Goods has made to the sport of soccer in the United States," said Jeffrey R. Hennion, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Dick's Sporting Goods. "However, just as important to our company is our commitment to the communities in which we do business so we are extremely proud to be hosting this shopping event with our partners at the MLS and the Kansas City Wizards."

"We're thrilled for this experience for the children we serve in the schools. We believe kids need physical activity for their emotional and social development as well as their physical health," said Allen Unklesbay, Spofford President and CEO. "The Wizards and Dick's Sporting Goods are wonderful community partners helping kids achieve success and well-being."

Dick's Sporting Goods, a Major League Sponsor since 2007, is putting on similar events with other teams around the League. Participating children will be arranged in groups of five with one Wizards player and one helper assigned to each small group. Wizards scheduled to participate include:

• Head Coach Curt Onalfo
• Forward Davy Arnaud
• Defender Jack Jewsbury
• Defender Aaron Hohlbein
• Defender Tyson Wahl
• Midfielder Lance Watson
• Defender Jonathan Leathers
• Defender Chance Myers
• Defender Rauwshan McKenzie
• Forward Nelson Pizarro
• Midfielder Kevin Souter
• Midfielder Roger Espinoza