The fourth version of LINC’s Caring Communities Day once again will show what fun it is when families, businesses, churches, service providers, game makers, food grillers and entertainers come together to put on a completely free celebration.

“I’m looking for my leaders,” he says. “Show me your hands if you are a leader. Raise them high!” Nearly every child is waving. “Everybody look around,” Wilson says. “These are my young people that will help you if need help.” He didn’t ask, but every one of the blue-shirt LINC staffers has made the same promise — to the children, their families and the community.

It might be a sullen child alone, head tucked down in the morning. Or an anxious child, lashing out at other children at the end of a school day. They can move hidden within the swirl of a busy classroom, and LINC is working with the Kansas City Health Department to help see to it that these children are seen, understood and comforted.

The experience is inspiring to the Pitcher community and to the other Caring Communities sites that are trying to empower their neighborhoods. “Shout out to the site councils,” LINC’s Andrew Smith said. “You have a chance to get out into the community and do some cool things.”

“LINC wants our students using their mind in productive ways. This helps them improve in their school studies, too.”

The tournament drew 138 players to Gladstone Elementary School in Kansas City. Here are the results and a photo gallery.