United for D.C., the charitable arm of D.C. United, will host organizations from Ward 8 at Sunday's playoff match against the New York Red Bulls, courtesy of its Kicks for Kids program. Among the organizations receiving tickets are DC SCORES, United Soccer Club, Children of Mine Center, and the East of the River Clergy Police Community at Woodland Terrace. Around 140 kids are expected to attend Sunday's playoff match using their Kicks for Kids tickets.
"Sharing the excitement and passion of the MLS Cup playoffs is a rewarding opportunity for us," said Stephen Zack, United Sr. Vice President and President of the United for D.C. Board of Directors. "Kicks for Kids is one of the tremendous programs run by the foundation and we're thankful to the benefactors for their assistance in funding such a worthwhile program."
In addition to Kicks for Kids, United for D.C. is involved in various other programs benefiting Ward 8 residents. One of the organization's signature programs, United Reads, currently partners with two schools inside Ward 8: Howard Road Academy and Birney Elementary School. The program, which encourages and promotes childhood literacy, also supports two United Reads Reading Corners in Ward 8, providing books and other materials to enhance the waiting rooms of the Children's Health Center locations on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Good Hope Road.
Starting at the beginning of this season, United for D.C. also introduced United Soccer Club, which also operates in Ward 8. Held in ten-week seasons, the United Soccer Club program provides children with an opportunity to play organized soccer after school. Hosting approximately 90 students from Ward 8's Birney Elementary, Howard Road Academy, and Savoy Elementary schools, the program provides basic soccer instruction and friendly scrimmage matches on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Since 2001, United for D.C.'s Kicks for Kids program has provided free-of-charge tickets to D.C. United home matches and free meal vouchers to area non-profit organizations and other community-based groups that serve at-risk, disadvantaged or inner-city children. This season, Kicks For Kids was able to give away 5,700 tickets to 150 different organizations to be distributed among disadvantaged kids.
For more information about the Kicks for Kids program, or any of United for D.C.'s other programs, please contact Sara Rabe at srabe@dcunited.com, or by phone at (202) 587-5434.
