GUTIERREZ IN AFRICA TO PROMOTE MALARIA AWARENESS DEC. 9-16
From Dec. 9-16, 2007, Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez and Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario will join a UN Foundation delegation including spokespeople for the Nothing But Nets campaign in Mali, Africa to observe the distribution of over two million long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to children and their families. In Mali, Nothing But Nets campaign supporters funded 133,000 of the bed nets being distributed. Gutierrez will be photographing and writing about his experience, when he can, for www.chicago-fire.com.
BARRETT AND SOUMARE RETURN FROM GENERATION adidas SPAIN TOUR
Fire forward Chad Barrett and midfielder Bakary Soumare are slated to return stateside today among a group of 16 Generation adidas members of MLS's brightest young talent that participated in a tour of Spain. The 12-day journey began on Friday, Nov. 23, and included training sessions and matches against the reserve teams of Rayo Vallecano FC and Real Madrid. The young MLS players also attended three matches as spectators while in Spain.
VILLAGE OF BRIDGEVIEW TREE LIGHTING TODAY AT TOYOTA PARK
The Village of Bridgeview will be conducting its annual "Winter Wonderland" Christmas Tree Lighting and Children's Party at TOYOTA PARK this evening, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. CT. The event will include a guest appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus and a tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. CT, while children enjoy the holiday-themed activities such as ice skating, marshmallow roasting, and sleigh rides. The Bridgeview Church of God Choral Group will also be performing Christmas Carols throughout the evening, and those in attendance will have an opportunity to make contributions to the "Toys for Tots" charity.
CHICAGO REPRESENTED IN "BEST OF U.S. SOCCER" VOTING
Voting is underway until Friday, Dec. 7, for the 2007 Best of U.S. Soccer Awards (presented by Soccer America) where fans get to separate the year's best from the rest. Of the eleven awards given for the sixth annual series, 10 of them have ties to Chicagoland, most notably because of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals and final held in late June. Chicago is represented throughout the annual award selection in the following categories: best action photo, best all-access video, best assist, best U.S. fan atmosphere, best goal (men), best goal (women), best performance (player), best performance (team), best bar, and best store. To vote for this year's Best of U.S. Soccer Awards, please visit http://bestof2007-ussoccer.blogspot.com/.
HOLIDAY PACKS NOW ON SALE
Chicago Fire Holiday Packs are on sale now starting at $89. Each package includes four tickets to the 2008 Fire home opener (date TBA) as well as a hat and glove set to help keep your special Fire fan warm. Fans have the opportunity to purchase more than four tickets per Holiday Pack, and for every two additional tickets ordered, an additional hat & glove set can be purchased for $12. For more information, visit www.chicago-fire.com.
FIREWORKS FOR KIDS FOUNDATION ACCEPTING HOLIDAY DONATIONS
This holiday season, the Fireworks for Kids Foundation once again turns to the generous Chicago Fire Soccer community for support in raising money for the Annual Holiday Fund. This year, your financial contributions will assist the FireWorks For Kids Foundation in supporting the inspirational wheelchair athletes of the Chicago Fire Power Soccer team. Donations can be sent to the following address:
FireWorks For Kids Foundation - Holiday Fund
c/o Chicago Fire Soccer
7000 S. Harlem
Bridgeview, Ill. 60455
While a contribution of any amount is greatly appreciated, for every contribution of $25.00 or more, the Fire Works For Kids Foundation will send you an autographed action photo of Chicago Fire forward Calen Carr. For more information or to donate, please contact Jessica Yavitz with the FireWorks For Kids Foundation at 708-496-6740.
ETC.
• Congratulations to the Chicago Fire Academy on completing their first road trip as an organization this past weekend in Shattuck - St. Mary's, Minn.
