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The mission behind the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation

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Posted at 10:57 AM, Oct 04, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-04 11:57:23-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City's favorite quarterback is looking to help young children in the metro get a win.

Earlier this year, Patrick Mahomes announced his new foundation, 15 and the Mahomies.

Foundation leaders recently attended the Chiefs' fantasy football event at Arrowhead Stadium, where Special Olympic athletes were taught several different drills and skills by the Chiefs rookie team.

Andrew Baswell described the event in one word: "exciting."

Baswell, 30, not only plays football, but also basketball, bocce ball and skiing with Special Olympics Missouri.

"It helps keep me active," Baswell said.

And with events like these, he sees the amount of Chiefs players who support him and his fellow athletes, including one of his favorite players — Mahomes.

Mahomes' foundation, 15 and the Mahomies, is focused on improving the lives of children, focusing on health, wellness and educational initiatives. Its signature program, 15 For 15, will support 15 youth initiatives, according to the foundation's website.

"Everything we do, there's 15 individuals or organizations that'll benefit from it," Executive Director Marques Fitch said. "We have 15 different initiatives."

Their first initiative is working with athletes like Baswell.

"We found that there's so many individuals that are a part of Special Olympics that may not have the resources to travel," Fitch said. "You know, they go to the state competitions, regional or even nationally, so that was the main reason we wanted to support their effort."

As part of the first initiative, the foundation is sponsoring 15 athletes to take part in Special Olympics throughout the year.

"It is $460 to participate year-round, so to know that 15 of those athletes don't have to worry about it ... it's a great exposure for our program and the foundation," Special Olympics Development Senior Director Kami Delameter said.

The goal is to focus on community building among youth right here in the metro area.

"We really want to be able to provide good experiences for all kids," Fitch said. "And just removing any barriers that may be out there from reaching their full potential."

Fitch said the goal is to expand and sponsor more Special Olympic athletes as the foundation grows.