WASHINGTON, D.C. - Through fundraising events and promotions held during D.C. United's game on Saturday, August 19, United for D.C. raised more than $13,500. The funds will be earmarked to run the foundation's signature programs - United Reads, Kicks for Kids and United Soccer Club. The majority of funds raised during the day came from the game's ticket sales, a portion of which went directly to United for D.C., and was supplemented by a host of games and auctions. Major League Soccer generously matched the amount of money donated by D.C. United from ticket sales.
"United for D.C. Day was a tremendous success," said United Sr. Vice President Stephen Zack. "We were able to raise a significant amount of funds and awareness for our foundation's flourishing community programs. We're proud of the services that United for D.C. provides the community and will continue to seek creative and substantive ways to generate support for it."
More than 200 children and families were in attendance for the day's Kicks for Kids festivities and were provided game tickets to the United-Rapids match. Representatives from Capital Community Soccer Club, the Latin America Youth Center, Payne Elementary, Smothers Elementary and the United Reads Reading Corner were also in attendance. One lucky group of kids from the United Soccer Club also participated in the Sierra Mist halftime games during intermission.
Game day events also included two fundraising games: the Mystery Ball Grab and Spin the Wheel. In the Mystery Ball Grab game, which raised more than $1000, participants blindly drew a ping-pong ball, labeled with the number of a D.C United player. The participant then received a soccer ball autographed by that corresponding athlete.
