D.C. United announced today its United Drives initiative, a community relations program, will be collecting new and gently used youth soccer equipment during United's home games during the month of May. The initiative kicks off on Saturday, May 13, when the US Soccer Foundation's Passback Program teams up with United Drives before D.C. United's home game versus the Kansas City Wizards. The drive continues on May 31, when United plays the Columbus Crew. Kick-off for both matches is set for 7:30 p.m. at RFK Stadium.
"We are very excited about the support that our fans have given to this program over the past few years," said Catherine Marquette, D.C. United's Director of Community Relations and Executive Director of United for D.C. "United Drives collects thousands of items throughout the course of the season to benefit various non-profit organizations, including our very own United for D.C., and directly impacts thousands of youth and families throughout the District and the overall region."
At all D.C. United home games, the United Drives booth will be located outside of RFK Stadium's Gate A and will open two hours prior to kickoff, closing 15 minutes into the first half. Any fan who donates an item will receive, as a thank you from the club, a "Buy One, Get One Free" ticket voucher good for any D.C. United regular season home game as well as a United promotional item. The remaining collection schedule can be found below.
Throughout May, D.C. United will be collecting children's soccer equipment to benefit the US Soccer Foundation's Passback Program. Passback is a collection of new and gently used equipment, including shin guards, soccer balls, shoes and goalkeeper gloves, that is then distributed within the community to DC SCORES and United for D.C.'s own United Soccer Club. Additional information about the Passback Program can be located at ussoccerfoundation.org or at passback.org.
Last month, United Drives collected over 400 books to benefit a United for D.C. initiative, United Reads, which aids youth in Kindergarten through 7th grade. All of the books collected will go to over 1,500 youth at the four elementary schools that participate in United Reads: Payne Elementary (Ward 6), Smothers Elementary (Ward 7), Howard Road Academy (Ward 8) and Birney Elementary (Ward 8).
For more information on the United Drives program or to receive more information about any of the community relations activities of D.C. United, please contact Catherine Marquette at 202-587-5443 or cmarquette@dcunited.com.
United Drives Calendar
Game Dates // Collection Item // Beneficiary
May 13, 31 // Soccer Equipment // United for D.C. and United Community Grants and the United Soccer Club
June 3, 21, 24 // Canned Food // Capital Area Food Bank
July 15 // Toiletries // Dinner Program for Homeless Women/DC Village
August 19, 26 // Toys // Children's National Medical Center/Children of Mine
September 9, 23 // School Supplies // United for D.C. and United Reads
October 7, 15 // Coats & Clothes // The Children's Center / Goodwill
