Washington, D.C. --
D.C. United and its non-profit arm, United for D.C., today announced proceeds from The Sixth Annual Kickoff Luncheon totaling $42,000. The Kickoff Luncheon, presented by United Bank and Clubspaces, and supported by Arent Fox and Ballard, Spahr, Andrews and Ingersoll, LLP, featured D.C. United's co-managing partner Victor MacFarlane and United president Kevin Payne. The event's keynote speaker, MLS Commissioner, Don Garber spoke about United for D.C., as well as the proposed home of D.C. United at Poplar Point, and head coach Tom Soehn introduced some of the new faces of the 2008 team.
MacFarlane used his platform as an opportunity to challenge the other professional team owners in Washington, D.C. The club's co-managing partner summoned each ownership group to pledge a $50,000 donation to the team that puts together the best regular season record, judged by winning percentage. The $50,000 donated would go to the winning team's non-profit foundation or charitable arm.
All proceeds from the Kickoff Luncheon are used to benefit United for D.C., which was established by D.C. United as a 501 (c) 3 organization in 2002. The non-profit has three signature programs: United Reads which supports childhood literacy in Wards 6, 7 and 8 in six D.C. public schools; Kicks for Kids which provides the game-day experience to thousands of inner-city, under-served youth each season; and United Soccer Club which was developed after a request from Ward 8 families for meaningful after school opportunities to play organized soccer.
The next United for D.C. event will be the Seventh Annual United Celebrity Golf Tournament, presented by United Bank and GEICO, on Monday, June 23, at the Old Hickory Golf Club in Woodbridge, Virginia. Sponsorship opportunities include presenting, all-hole and one hole. Foursome and individual spots are also available. For more information on the Kickoff Luncheon, Celebrity Golf Tournament or on any other United for D.C. events or programs, please contact Kate Larned at 202-587-5463 or email at Klarned@dcunited.com
. Also, visit United for D.C.'s website at www.unitedfordc.org
.
D.C. United's 2008 MLS season begins March 29, when United travels to Kansas City to play the Wizards, and the home opener at RFK will be on April 5, against Toronto FC. The team resumes CONCACAF Champions' Cup play the following Tuesday, when the Black-and-Red begin their semifinal series against Pachuca CF from Mexico. Group tickets, package plans and individual tickets to United matches, not including SuperLiga games and the Los Angeles Galaxy match on June 29, are now available for sale. For more ticket information or to purchase season tickets, log on to www.dcunited.com
or call D.C. United at (202) 587-5000.
