COLUMBUS, Ohio - The third quarter was an active and exciting period for the Crew's community relations department and Crew Soccer Foundation. A compilation of highlights follows:
CSF RAISES MORE THAN $8,200 IN FIRST ANNUAL SPORTS MEMORABILIA AUCTION AND RAFFLE
The Crew Soccer Foundation, the club's charitable arm, hosted its first annual Sports Memorabilia Auction and Raffle on Sept. 30, in conjunction with the Crew's match vs. the L.A. Galaxy. Dozens of unique collectibles, from star athletes around the world, were auctioned and raffled off to benefit the Crew Soccer Foundation and more than $8,200 was raised.
'SOCCER AID V' RAISES MORE THAN $6,000 FOR CSF AND PRIMARY BENEFICIARY JDRF
Soccer Aid V concluded on Sept. 8, when the winning bidders in the on-line auctions that took place throughout the month of August played a 30-minute scrimmage prior to the Crew's game vs. Chicago and were recognized in an on-field pregame ceremony. The program raised more than $6,000 this year for the Crew Soccer Foundation and its primary beneficiary, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), with the highest winning bid of $551.07 being brought in for Guillermo Barros Schelotto's No. 7 jersey. A unique annual fund-raiser, Soccer Aid capitalizes on soccer fans' passion for the sport to raise money for charity through the non-profit arm of the Crew. The autographed black game jerseys that were auctioned off featured a 'Soccer Aid V' patch and were worn by the Crew in its match vs. Aston Villa on July 28, marking the first time in the program's five-year history that has been incorporated.
CREW SUPPORTS 'BACK-TO-SCHOOL' HEALTH CARE COVERAGE CAMPAIGN AGAIN THIS YEAR
For the third straight year, the Crew and Major League Soccer, in conjunction with the Sports Philanthropy Project, were proud to support the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's efforts to connect eligible, uninsured kids with available health care coverage through the Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign. The Campaign took place in August and September and features thousands of events and activities across the country designed to demonstrate demand for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and to get eligible uninsured children enrolled. Nine million children in America are uninsured. While 7 out of 10 of these kids are eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage, their parents may not realize their kids are eligible. The Crew helped spread the word at its Sept. 8 match that many uninsured children in Ohio are eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage by running ads in game programs, playing a Back-to-School PSA and P.A. announcement, and distributing informational hand fans to families. For more information, please visit www.CoverTheUninsured.org.
CREW SPONSORS RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEPT. 2 HOME GAME
In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the Crew hosted a blood drive on Sept. 2, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., in conjunction with its 3 p.m. game. All donors were thanked with a voucher good for a complimentary ticket to that afternoon's game between the Crew and Colorado Rapids.
ANNUAL CREW SOCCER FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC HELD AUG. 20 AT WEDGEWOOD
The annual Crew Soccer Foundation Golf Classic was held on Aug. 20, at Wedgewood Golf and Country Club and raised approximately $38,000 for its beneficiary, The Buckeye Ranch. Since 1961, The Buckeye Ranch has offered hope to countless children and families who have struggled with emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues. The Ranch is a recognized leader in providing mental health services and has eight locations throughout central Ohio and Hamilton County. Every day, more than 1,800 children and families benefit from the Ranch's many programs and treatment services.
CREW UNDERTAKES THIRD ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP
The Crew held its third annual neighborhood cleanup on Aug. 16, when Crew players and staff, along 25 winners of a contest on The CW on WWHO, picked up litter just north of Crew Stadium. Keep Columbus Beautiful once again helped guide the cleanup and supplied the trash bags, litter grabbers, gloves and other tools, while The CW partnered in the initiative for the first time and provided promotional value totaling more than $26,000. It shot a public service announcement, featuring Ezra Hendickson and Danny O'Rourke, promoting both the cleanup and the contest. Each contest winner joined the cleanup and took home a great prize pack that includes two tickets to the Crew's game vs. D.C. United on Aug. 18. One Grand Prize winner also received an autographed Crew soccer ball. Keep Columbus Beautiful is a City of Columbus community improvement program that is a unique arm of the Refuse Collection Division of the Columbus Department of Public Service. The program's mission is to promote and coordinate litter cleanups, graffiti prevention and removal, recycling, and beautification projects.
