WASHINGTON, D.C. - With the 2004 Major League Soccer season entering the playoff stretch, each goal that D.C. United scores takes on a much greater meaning ... in more ways than one. As part of the Budweiser ¡Futbolazo! program, Anheuser-Busch will make a donation - totaling $5,000 for the year - to MAPAVI and the Spanish Catholic Center for every goal scored by the Black-and-Red during home games this season. Each beneficiary will be presented with a check during halftime of D.C. United's first home playoff match to assist them in fulfilling their missions.
"Anheuser-Busch have been terrific corporate partners for us and we're excited at the opportunity to join them in this charitable endeavor," said United Sr. vice president Stephen Zack. "MAPAVI and the Spanish Catholic Center do great work in their communities and we are happy that ¡Futbolazo! will help them in continuing their mission."
In partnership with D.C. United and Major League Soccer, Anheuser-Busch has developed a community-relations initiative pairing the world's most popular sport with the needs of America's fastest growing ethnic group. Budweiser ¡Futbolazo! uses the sport of soccer to benefit charitable organizations that work primarily within the local Hispanic community.
"We're excited about our ongoing relationship with D.C. United to benefit the local Latino community through outstanding organizations such as MAPAVI and the Spanish Catholic Center," said Jesus Rangel, vice president of sales development and community relations, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Budweiser is proud to sponsor the ¡Futbolazo! program , and we're looking forward to continued involvement in the region through soccer and a variety of other programs of interest to consumers."
MAPAVI is a multi-dimensional organization with the larger focus of helping new immigrants to find the American Dream. Known also as Marcelino Pan y Vino, MAPAVI works to help relatives of people suffering from heart disease, kidney disease or terminal illnesses; raises money to help offset the tremendous financial burden of those who are seriously ill; and campaigns within the Washington, D.C. area to register potential bone marrow donors in the National Institute of Health database hoping to increase the likelihood that bone marrow cancer sufferers may find a donor.
The Spanish Catholic Center was founded by the Archdiocese of Washington in October 1967 to provide services to low-income and limited English proficient immigrants, assisting particularly with education, health and social needs. Its principle purpose is to aid members of the Hispanic community of the metropolitan area in the process of adaptation and integration into North American society. The Center, a United Way organization, has always assisted any person regardless of race, color, sex, age, religious affiliation or country of origin.
For more information on the Spanish Catholic Center, visit their web site at www.centrocatolicohispano.org or contact Rev. Donald F. Lippert, executive director of the Spanish Catholic Center at 202.939.2437. Visit www.coolwebdc.com/mapavi for more information on MAPAVI.
Anheuser-Busch is a leader in meeting a critical need in the Latino community by providing financial resources and additional means of support. Since 1982, the company has partnered with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to provide over 17,500 HSF scholarships totaling more than $21 million. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
