WASHINGTON, D.C. - D.C. United announced today the schedule for the 2005 United Drives initiative. United Drives, entering its fifth year, benefits worthwhile non-profit organizations by collecting much-needed items that assist each beneficiary with the fulfillment of its particular mission.
United Drives will officially kick-off at United's Major League Soccer home-opener versus the Chicago Fire (Saturday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m., RFK Stadium), though a bonus drive was held at last night's CONCACAF Champions Cup match versus PUMAS. To kick-off the program, during the month of April, D.C. United will collect new, unwrapped toys before the Saturday, April 9 and Saturday, April 23 matches to benefit the Children's National Medical Center.
"Our fans have always been great supporters of the United Drives program," said Catherine Marquette, D.C. United's Director of Community Relations and Executive Director of United For D.C. "They appreciate the opportunity D.C. United provides in allowing them to give back to the community. The combination of our fans being able to take in a game at RFK, while supporting the local community provides a win-win situation and we're pleased to be a part of it."
At all D.C. United home games, the United Drives booth will be located outside of RFK Stadium's Gate A and 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.
Through United Drives, D.C. United chooses a different item to collect during each month of the season. The items collected by United Drives include children's toys (April), children's books (May) and school supplies (August) to benefit United for D.C. and the Children's Hospital, toiletry items (June) to benefit the Dinner Program for Homeless Women, canned food (July) to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, soccer equipment (September) to benefit DC Scores and coats and clothes (October) to benefit the Children's Center in Ward 8.
For more information on the United Drives program or to receive more information about any of D.C. United's Community Relations' initiatives, please contact Catherine Marquette at 202-587-5443 or cmarquette@dcunited.com
United Drives 2005 Schedule
April (9th & 23rd), Toy Drive, Children's National Medical Center
May (7th, 21st & 28th), Children's Book Drive, United for D.C.
June (15th & 18th), Toiletries Drive, Dinner Program for Homeless Women
July (9th, 15th & 28th), Food Drive, Capital Area Food Bank
August (10th, 13th & 20th), School Supplies Drive, United for D.C.
September (17th), Soccer Equipment Drive, DC SCORES
October (8th & 15th), Coat & Clothes Drive, Children's Center (Ward 8)
