For years, Lead to Read KC has been fortunate to step up to the plate alongside one of Kansas City’s most beloved teams: the Kansas City Royals and The Kansas City Royals Foundation. As we wrap up our final partner spotlight in this series, it feels fitting to highlight an organization whose commitment to literacy has been steady and powerful.
This season, their commitment is especially visible at Pitcher Elementary where multiple Royals-affiliated Reading Mentors are truly pitching in.
Why the Royals Prioritize Literacy
With only 23% of Kansas City third graders reading on grade level, the team knows the city is facing a literacy crisis. Emerson Peavey, Sr. Coordinator of Community Impact, put it plainly: the Royals are determined to help change that trajectory.
The organization’s literacy efforts extend far beyond the ballpark, from recruiting Reading Mentors to hosting club-wide literacy initiatives, supporting book donation events, and providing generous financial support. Since 2021, The Kansas City Royals Foundation has contributed nearly $200,000 to strengthen Lead to Read KC’s mission.
“We’re proud to support an organization doing the boots-on-the-ground work,” Emerson shared. “Together, we want to help KC students succeed.”
Why Employees Step Up to Mentor
One of the strongest threads woven through every Royals volunteer story is how meaningful the weekly experience feels.
Many associates describe their Lead to Read session as the highlight of their week. The time commitment is simple — just 30 minutes — and yet the outcomes are immense. Volunteers appreciate that the program is easy to access, aligned with the Royals’ organizational values, and deeply personal.
And the reasons they keep coming back?
- The joy on a student’s face when their mentor walks in.
- The pride in watching reading skills grow over time.
- The fulfillment of being a constant, positive presence in a child’s week.
- The reminder that a small act of consistency matters far beyond the classroom.
Stories From the Royals Reading Mentors
Emerson Peavey
Reading at Garfield Elementary for three years, Emerson treasures moments when students receive books tailored to their interests. Gifting a book at the end of each semester that sparks excitement and sometimes a whole conversation is one of her favorite parts of mentoring.
MaKenzie Yearby
In her first year with Lead to Read, MaKenzie has already seen the impact of showing up with encouragement and consistency. One of her favorite moments came while reading a book that mentioned Honduras. Her student immediately lit up, eager to share about his family’s heritage. She says those glimpses into students’ lives make each session unforgettable.
Alex Schulte
Alex started as a Flextra before becoming a weekly mentor. What surprised him most? How quickly trust was built. “It’s such a great feeling to see how excited the students are every week when we arrive,” he said. Their enthusiasm keeps him returning year after year.
Dave Holtzman
For Dave, watching students gain confidence with sight words and celebrating each breakthrough has been incredibly rewarding. He knows people wonder whether just 30 minutes a week can make a difference, but he confirms how powerful that time can be: “You’re showing them that someone they’ve never met cares about their future.”
A Final Thank You
As this final spotlight closes, we want to express our deep gratitude to The Kansas City Royals, The Kansas City Royals Foundation, and their remarkable associates. Their dedication to Kansas City kids on and off the field continues to make a measurable, meaningful impact.
This team knows how to knock it out of the park.
Interested in bringing your organization into the story?
Learn how your company can partner with Lead to Read KC at leadtoreadkc.org/ways-to-act.
