City Union Mission would like to thank Local film production professionals for contributing their time and expertise to help City Union Mission raise area awareness of the current plight of Kansas Citys homeless and poor through the creation of two 30-second commercials that were shot Monday night and will air on KMBC Channel 9s Consumers Choice segment in November.

Dennis Chapman, associate executive director for the Mission, said the commercials, which are being produced specifically for City Union Mission free of charge, will depict the reality of the hardships and tragedies experienced by the growing number of homeless families and individuals in our community.  Theyre living under overpasses or in alleyways, starting fires to keep warm, searching trash bins for food.  Theyre typical of the people who are forced to seek help from the Mission as they lose jobs and homes and in other ways become victims of these tough economic times.

The project, led by Brad Burrow of Real Media with Producer Mark Ciersdorff, brought together grips, gaffers, sound technicians, makeup artists, caterers and other film production professionals from all realms of the film industry.  The team includes Jose Ayla, Mark Ciersdorff, Glen Eddins, Mel Graham, Scott Jolley, Troy Paddock of Prime Light, Inc., Scott Murray, Ken Paulakovich, Jeff Schiller of Studio V Audio LLC, Roycee Schlotzhauer, Sarah Thompson, Stephen Wallace and Maryann Williams.  A custom soundtrack for the spot is being recorded by famous KC jazz musician Kim Park.

Chapman is grateful for the groups partnership and dedication to the project, which will allow the Mission to portray a true picture of the local condition instead of relying on a generic film representation that could apply to any city.  This entire project is all about the Kansas City community, Chapman said.  Its our citizens giving of themselves to inform others about our neighbors who are struggling.  Were taking care of its own.