Kansas City, MO (Feb. 28, 2013) - During the early evening hours of Feb. 19, 2013, a natural gas explosion leveled JJ's Restaurant located on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo. Owned and operated by Jimmy Frantze and his brother, David Frantze, JJ's Restaurant was a Kansas City institution having recently celebrated 28 years of operation on Feb. 1. More than a dozen JJ's staff members, first responders and were injured in the explosion including Megan Cramer, who lost her life. The Kansas City community has responded quickly and generously responded to the tragedy.

Jimmy Frantze, and his brother David, were joined today by Tim Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG and Mayor Sly James of the City of Kansas City, Mo. as they announced the established JJ's Staff Assistance Fund, a trust at Country Club Bank. During the hiatus in operation, JJ's Restaurant will provide wages, insurance and other accommodations. The fund will be overseen by three members of the community, Josh Lehne, a JJ's employee, Jay Daugherty and David Fowler.

"The JJ's Staff Assistance Fund will objectively evaluate and provide for the needs of personnel that suffered financial, medical and emotional loss as a result of this incident," said David Frantze.

Tim J. Leiweke, President & CEO of AEG announced a gift of $25,000 to the newly established fund which will be matched by T-Mobile Center Foundation for a total gift of $50,000.

"We're heartbroken. We feel for the friends that were affected and for the one employee that was lost. Our heart and soul is in the city and Kansas City is important," said Leiweke.

"The support from friends both in Kansas City and around the globe has been tremendous," said Jimmy Frantze. "It is our hope that any funds in excess of those needed to provide the needed support to JJ's staff will be used for the good of the incredible community that has responded so amazingly to this catastrophe."

To donate to the JJ's Staff Assistance Fund, visit any Country Club Bank location in Kansas City, Mo. and for more information, visit jjs-restaurant.com.

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