SMITHVILLE, Mo. – Echoes from a tragic Kansas City explosion can still be heard.

The family of a man who died from injuries suffered in 2013’s J.J.’s Restaurant fire is now using his name to bless families in need. So far, they’ve been in a position to help 60 kids remain active in the sports they love.

It felt like the end of times for Ladonna Lemmon, who hails from Riverside. In late 2022, she was diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer, which led to 28 rounds of radiation, plus chemotherapy.

“We went from being financially comfortable to not knowing how we were going to get groceries,” Lemmon said.

And when hard times hit, and bills piled up, Lemmon said it seemed impossible that her son, Asher, could continue playing competitive soccer. Coaches saw potential in him and invited

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