In Kansas City, the Friday before the start of the Kansas City Chiefs' football regular season is designated as Red Friday to show support for the team.
In Jefferson City, members of the Cole County EMS Service celebrated another type of Red Friday.
EMS Chief Eric Hoy announced they had joined the Remember Everyone Deployed (R.E.D.) Friday movement. The movement was created to show support for members of the armed services currently deployed overseas. People across the country involved in this movement wear red every Friday to serve as a reminder and show support for those serving our country away from home.
Hoy said they employ several current and former members of the Armed Forces.
"In early May, we challenged our department members to design a T-shirt and join the R.E.D Friday movement," Hoy said in a news release. "Five designs were submitted and voted on via our social media platform. The winning T-shirt was adopted as our official R.E.D Friday uniform shirt."
In addition to EMS staff, T-shirts were made available for purchase to all county staff and the public, with the proceeds being donated to Operation Bugle Boy. A total of 392 shirts were sold. On Friday, the EMS service presented $1,211.38 in proceeds from the shirt sales to representatives from Operation Bugle Boy.
OBB is a local, nonprofit volunteer organization, carrying out activities and programs to honor and support troops, veterans and first responders. OBB also encourages the community, particularly youths, to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by veterans.