On the heels of participating in Team Up DC, a joint fundraising initiative with the Washington Capitals, Mystics, Nationals, Redskins and Wizards that generated more than $35,000, D.C. United today announced plans to continue efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. The club will continue to serve as a fundraiser by accepting cash donations during Saturday night's game against the Colorado Rapids and conducting an on-line auction of limited edition sports memorabilia, will provide tickets to the September 17 match at RFK Stadium to evacuees currently residing at the DC Armory, and will join Councilmember Marion Barry in donating lockable luggage to their temporary neighbors. In addition, D.C. United participated in a League-wide on-line auction this week that generated more than $135,000.
"We've all been touched by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina," said Catherine Marquette, D.C. United Director of Community Relations. "D.C. United is proud to continue to be a part of the effort to rebuild the lives of those affected by the storm."
D.C. United will collect monetary contributions prior to tomorrow night's game against the Colorado Rapids. Members of United's supporters clubs, the Screaming Eagles and Barra Brava, and players' wives and girlfriends will accept cash donations at the Main Gate and Gate A from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. The club has also offered complimentary tickets to each of the 180 evacuees temporarily housed at the DC Armory.
Additionally, United is auctioning off four items to raise funds for victims of Katrina - two autographed soccer balls and two autographed United jerseys. Members of the Capitals, Mystics, Nationals, Redskins and United, who participated in the "Team-up DC/Hurricane Katrina Relief Drive Thru," which took place on September 9, signed each item. Among others, Chad Cordero, Nick Johnson and Brad Wilkerson of the Nationals, Jaime Moreno and Ben Olsen of United, DeLisha Milton-Jones, Kaayla Chones and Muriel Page of the Mystics, Etan Thomas of the Wizards, Brian Willsie, Matt Pettinger, Jared Aulin and Steve Eminger of the Capitals all signed the items. Each will be auctioned off on dcunited.com beginning on Monday, September 19, with all of the proceeds going to the victims.
United has also joined Councilmember Marion Barry in providing lockable luggage to those evacuees located at the DC Armory. The bags are much-needed by the group in order to safely store and protect their individual belongings.
For more information on D.C. United's community initiatives, please visit www.dcunited.com
or call Catherine Marquette and 202-587-5443.
