What Happens When Boys Are Asked to Lead With Their Hearts?

In March, a group of our school-age boys—our Young Kings—spent the day not just learning about empathy, but living it.

We started at KingMaker with a simple challenge: What can you do with your hands that would help someone else today?

Their answer? Sandwiches. Lots of them.

Together, the boys worked in teams to prepare meals—stacking bread, spreading peanut butter, sealing Ziplocs, and writing encouraging notes to include in each bag. This wasn’t just about giving food. It was about learning the value of serving with intention.

The Trip Downtown STL

Later that day, we packed the sandwiches and boarded our van for downtown St. Louis. The boys helped unload the food themselves. They didn’t just stand on the sidelines—they walked up, made eye contact, and handed out each sandwich with respect and kindness.

One boy said quietly after giving a sandwich, “He said thank you like I gave him something big.” That was a moment.

Another Young King asked, “Can we come back next week?”

Why It Matters

At KingMaker, we teach that a true king leads not with power, but with purpose. Serving the unhoused community gave our boys a chance to see others, hear stories, and understand struggle without judgment.

They left with questions. With fire. And with a deeper sense of their place in the world—not as boys who receive, but as boys who give.

More Than Just a Field Trip

This wasn’t a cute photo op. It was a values lesson in action. Our sons practiced:

• Empathy – Seeing someone else’s reality without turning away

• Responsibility – Completing something from start to finish

• Brotherhood – Working as a unit with love and purpose

The KingMaker Way

We don’t wait until they’re “older” to teach leadership. We build it, week by week. Through projects like this, our boys gain a deeper understanding of their role in their homes, schools, and cities.

This is KingMaker. Bring us your son, we’ll return you a king.

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Want to See It for Yourself?

Visit KingMaker Academy and see how we guide boys through fun, focused play with a purpose. We’re not just raising gamers—we’re raising leaders.

Book a call to learn more about our programs:

https://tinyurl.com/kingmaker-call

Or reach us at 314-373-0000

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Composed by KingMaker Co-founder Rio McGee