The Tony Gonzalez Foundation has adopted the Shadow Buddies Foundation and is involved with many of our programs. Tony has his very own Shadow Buddy dressed in a Kansas City Chiefs gown. Tony delivers his Buddies to hospitals, camps, and senior citizen homes in Kansas City and California. He is involved in the Books & Buddies Program, bringing middle school students and senior citizens together in the community, and, the Know Your Buddy Book Program promoting compassion and understanding through education for K-6th grade.
The Tony Gonzalez Foundation Up-to-Date
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The Tony Gonzalez Foundation accomplished the following things through 2009:
- 275 Know Your Buddy Books sponsored and delivered to schools in all 50 states
- 53 Know Your Buddy Books Kits sponsored and distributed to pediatric hospitals and schools
- Books and Buddies -- 8th year program uniting teens and seniors. To date, over 5,900 of Tony’s seniors Buddies have been delivered throughout the United States.
- Books and Buddies Program recognized and awarded through the President’s Volunteer Service Award -- Central Middle School
- Celebrating 47,500 Tony Gonzalez Shadow Buddies distributed to date to children and senior citizens, which Tony has personally delivered over 21,000 of them.
- In 2009, Tony Gonzalez asked Quarterback Matt Cassel to join forces and now they each have their own Shadow Buddies Programs.
- Winner of the 2004 Miles Award, presented by the Shadow Buddies Foundation. This award is given to an individual who goes “Above and Beyond” to support the mission of the Shadow Buddies Foundation. The Miles Award has a special meaning: Magnificent-Individual-Lending-Extra-Smiles. Tony was honored as the 7th annual Miles Award recipient.
- Partnered with “Teammates for Kids” - Garth Brooks Foundation in 2006
- Provided 11 Chiefs season tickets as incentives to the kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City for 10 years.
- Hosted the 2nd Annual Tony Gonzalez Football Camp. The proceeds from this 3-day hands-on clinic supported the Shadow Buddies Foundation and Boy & Girls Clubs.
- Hosted several fund raisers throughout the year to benefit his foundation; including the “Tony Gonzalez Holiday Hugs for Children” private party at his home.
- Published a children’s book, “Catch and Connect”. Given his love of reading, this was the perfect project. Tony received a lot of attention from the book because he talked about being “bullied” as a youth.
- Determined to learn Spanish, Tony has spent time living in Mexican villages during the off-season.
- Tony Gonzalez named #1 NFL Good Guy by the Sporting News
- March 2009 - Traded to Atlanta Falcons
