The Seattle community is one of many across the globe that are currently facing a series of unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of MLS Unites, a league-wide platform designed to educate communities, entertain fans and elevate heroic efforts during the pandemic, and to show love and commitment to the city the club calls home, Sounders FC partner Captain Morgan has pledged a donation of at least $55,000 (US) to RAVE Foundation’s Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund.
Coinciding with this week’s MLS Unites programming, supporting those in need, the donation to RAVE Foundation’s Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund is part of Captain Morgan’s initial pledge of $500,000 (US) across the United States and Canada to assist local MLS communities affected by COVID-19. Captain Morgan is working with each of their nine local club partners, including Seattle, to facilitate a donation of at least $55,000 (US) to a charitable organization of the clubs’ choosing, and Sounders FC is excited to have IRS 501(c)(3) RAVE Foundation and its COVID-19 relief fund be the recipient of the donation. Each of the charities is focused on providing meals and relief to local COVID-19 frontline workers and community members in need during this difficult time. A full list of the organizations to which their donations are being distributed can be found be found here.
As Sounders FC’s charitable arm, RAVE Foundation is the nonprofit tool through which the club channels programs and support. RAVE Foundation’s mission includes using soccer as a vehicle to strengthen communities. The Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund has been established by RAVE Foundation to provide emergency support to individuals and small businesses in the neighborhoods surrounding CenturyLink Field that have been affected by the lack of matchday activity due to COVID-19. The Relief Fund is intended to support a range of needs, from groceries to rent assistance and monetary packages that will fund direct support to shift workers and service providers in and around CenturyLink Field. The funds will be distributed as grants in two-week cycles on a continuing basis until the Relief Fund is exhausted. Those interested in learning more or applying for a grant can do so at SoundersFC.com/ReliefFund.
“Captain Morgan has been a wonderful partner for Sounders FC, and we are especially grateful for their support of the Seattle community during this time,” said Sounders FC President of Business Operations Peter Tomozawa. “Our club believes in the importance of family, and we established RAVE Foundation’s Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund to give back to our community, our family, in a meaningful way. This generous donation to the Fund by Captain Morgan will help us provide even more essential, direct financial assistance to those who need it most.”
“Captain Morgan is proud and honored to be in partnership with Major League Soccer, and we remain committed to supporting this incredible league,” Captain Morgan, Vice President, Sam Salameh said. “During these challenging times, it’s important that we unite as a community and work to overcome this together. Captain Morgan is proud to be united with MLS and each of our partner clubs, in an effort to bring relief to our club communities across the United States and within Canada.”
For Sounders FC fans interested in getting involved in the relief effort, Captain Morgan will kick off The Captain’s Challenge on its Instagram channel (@CaptainMorganUSA) today Tuesday, April 21. The Captain’s Challenge will feature fans showing off their best nutmegging skills – that is, kicking a ball between someone’s or something’s legs. Don’t have a soccer ball at home? Feel free to get creative – a balled up pair of socks, a pillow, a roll of TP – almost anything will work. For those who live by themselves, it’s possible to nutmeg anything with legs, whether that be a table or chair. Captain Morgan will be taking select fan submissions and showcasing them alongside commentary from MLS legend Taylor Twellman.
For every qualifying video U.S. fans (21+) share to their public Instagram (in feed or stories) tagging @CaptainMorganUSA and including the hashtag #CaptainMorganDonation, Captain Morgan will donate $25 (US) up to an additional $50,000 (US) on top of the initial pledge of $500,000 (US) to assist MLS communities affected by this crisis.
Sounders FC encourages all of its fans and fellow community members to join the club, Captain Morgan and MLS to Unite for Those in Need. If you’re 21 or over, get ‘megging – Sounders FC and Captain Morgan can’t wait to see what you’ve got. Please do it safely and responsibly: Captain’s Orders.
For more information on “MLS Unites,” visit MLSSoccer.com/MLS-Unites.
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Winner of the 2019 and 2016 MLS Cup, 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), Sounders FC is Seattle's Major League Soccer franchise. The club received an MLS charter on November 13, 2007 and has set a league record by qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs in every year of its existence. Sounders FC reached a milestone in 2016 as the franchise claimed its first MLS Cup championship, before earning its second title in 2019, hoisting the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy in front of a home crowd of 69,274 fans. Since the club's debut MLS season in 2009, Sounders FC has set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight consecutive seasons (2009-2016) and routinely ranking in the top 30 in attendance among all professional teams internationally. Prior to joining MLS, the Seattle Sounders organization has been a part of the greater Seattle community and U.S. Soccer professional scene since 1974.
ABOUT RAVE FOUNDATION
RAVE Foundation is the official charitable arm of Seattle Sounders FC, founded in 2013 to serve the greater Puget Sound community. It’s mission: To build small fields for free play and invest in programs that use soccer as a vehicle to inspire youth and strengthen communities. RAVE Foundation’s Seattle Sounders FC Relief Fund was established to provide grants to individuals and small businesses in the neighborhoods surrounding CenturyLink Field that have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about RAVE Foundation at www.RAVEFoundation.org.
ABOUT CAPTAIN MORGAN
Captain Morgan is the number one selling spiced rum and the third largest spirits brand in the U.S. With the promise that there's more fun to be had, Captain Morgan encourages everyone 21+ to find the fun in each day. The Captain Morgan portfolio includes CAPTAIN MORGAN Original Spiced Rum, CAPTAIN MORGAN Black Spiced Rum, CAPTAIN MORGAN Private Stock, CAPTAIN MORGAN Cannon Blast, CAPTAIN MORGAN LocoNut, CAPTAIN MORGAN Apple Smash, CAPTAIN MORGAN Watermelon Smash, CAPTAIN MORGAN White Rum, CAPTAIN MORGAN Pineapple Rum, CAPTAIN MORGAN Coconut Rum and CAPTAIN MORGAN Grapefruit Rum. For more information, visit www.CaptainMorgan.com.
ABOUT DIAGEO
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
