SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake and United Way of Salt Lake announced today that the Second Annual RSL Kickoff Luncheon raised proceeds in excess of $32,000, more than doubling last year's event total. The Second Annual RSL Kickoff Luncheon presented by Utah Foods Services, held at The Depot located in the Union Pacific Building downtown, featured Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber as the keynote speaker as well as the official introduction of the 2006 Real Salt Lake squad and coaching staff to the community.
"We are thrilled to have raised this amount for United Way of Salt Lake, and through this great community-focused organization, we are able to support so many local individuals and families in need," said RSL General Manager Steve Pastorino. "Furthermore, we want to thank the luncheon sponsors and all those in attendance who made the event such an incredible success."</p>
Utah Food Services served as the presenting sponsor of the luncheon while Harper Concrete Incorporated, KSL Radio, KSL 5 TV, KUTV 2, Love Communications, and Millcreek Broadcasting made a commitment as supporting sponsors. Through sponsorship, table and seat purchase, and the silent auction, the event raised $32,668. The highlight of the silent auction featured baskets themed around individual RSL player's hobbies, movies, books, and other favorite items and activities.</p>
The benefit kicked off Real Week, the week leading up to RSL's home opener, and will continue to be an annual tradition. For more information, please contact Community Relations Coordinator Jamie Barton (801) 924-8580 or at jbarton@realsaltlake.com.</p>
RSL APPEARANCES & MEDIA PLACEMENT, MAY 1-8: RSL players are set to make several appearances in the upcoming week. Both RSL DF Danny Torres and RSL MF Christian Jimenez will make appearances at LaPointe Ford on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 respectively, for the dealership's "Cinco de Mayo Celebration." RSL MF Seth Trembly will be featured on KSL TV 5's "Our Town" hosted by Shelley Osterloh on Saturday morning airing several times throughout the Today Show. Trembly will be speaking on RSL's involvement with the Deseret News "I Am the Future" program which encourages students to become aware of their potential by becoming involved in essential developmental areas focusing on health, finance, community service, reading, and innovation. Continuing RSL's involvement, Trembly will once again make an appearance at the "I Am the Future" Health Fair on Saturday at ZCMI Center helping children to set goals for the program. DF Nik Besagno, GK Noah Palmer, FW Jamie Watson, and Assistant Coach Brian "BJ" Johnson will be conducting a clinic and autograph session on Monday, May 8 at Kearns Recreation Center for Salt Lake County soccer players. Full appearance information is below:
Player: DF Danny Torres
Date: Friday, May 5
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, MT
Where: LaPoint Ford - 5500 South State, Salt Lake City, UT
What: LaPoint Ford "Cinco de Mayo Celebration"
Player: MF Seth Trembly
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 5:26 AM, 5:56 AM, 6:26 AM, 6:56AM, MT
Where: KSL 5 TV
What: Trembly will be featured on KSL 5 TV's "Our Town", a community affairs interview program
Player: MF Seth Trembly
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, MT
Where: ZCMI Center, South Temple and Main Street
What: Deseret News "I Am the Future" Health Fair
Player: MF Christian Jimenez (subject to change)
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, MT
Where: LaPoint Ford - 5500 South State, Salt Lake City, UT
What: LaPoint Ford "Cinco de Mayo Celebration"
Players: DF Nik Besagno, GK Noah Palmer, FW Jamie Watson, and Assistant Coach Brian "BJ" Johnson
Date: Monday, May 8
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM MT
Where: Kearns Recreation Center, 5670 South 4800 West, Kearns, UT
What: Salt Lake County Soccer Program Clinic
