Sounders FC encourages fans to come cheer on the home team this Sunday, while also supporting RAVE Foundation and its mission to use soccer as a vehicle to empower and inspire underserved youth in the Puget Sound region.
The Rave Green host NYCFC in a nationally televised contest on ESPN this Sunday, July 29 (2:00 p.m. PT / ESPN, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) and the club is celebrating the work of its charitable arm, RAVE Foundation, with various elements.
Before heading into the stadium, fans can take part in the Stuff the Uber campaign. For every $10 donation, fans place a soccer ball inside of the Uber vehicle parked outside the northwest gates. These donated balls are being delivered by Uber with the help of goalkeeper Stefan Frei and midfielder Harry Shipp to kids in need at a youth soccer camp next week. This is part of RAVE Foundation’s One Ball program, which strives to put a soccer ball in the hand of every young person who needs one, with the goal of giving away 100,000 balls in 10 years.
The RAVE octagon will also be in place outside the northwest gates, providing children a fun, safe space to practice some soccer skills in the mini pop-up court.
In Soccer Celebration, Men’s Health Network is offering free blood pressure and heart rhythm checks for atrial fibrillation at their booth.
Pre-match, the club is highlighting the Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation Sports Media Institute, a program now in its second year which provides a unique career exploration opportunity for rising seventh, eighth and ninth grade students in White Center, Burien, SeaTac, Des Moines, Highline, Seattle and Tukwila public schools. The Sports Media Institute provides selected students the chance to learn professional skills in the context of sports media and Major League Soccer, as the students learn about writing, editing, broadcast, social media and public relations roles in the sports world. This year’s SMI students are attending three Sounders FC home matches, including Sunday, where they have the chance to work as members of the press corps. Students will be recognized on the stadium videoboards pre-match. For more information about the Sports Media Institute program, please contact Sounders FC Communications.
Prior to kickoff, Sounders FC presents a Golden Scarf to Andrew Lofton, Executive Director of Seattle Housing Authority. Lofton’s work with SHA has focused on serving a greater number of people, creating support and opportunity for residents to achieve self-sufficiency, and on building better communities within the city. His vision is exemplified in the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace, the nation’s first racially integrated housing community. Lofton and SHA were awarded the Urban Soccer Symposium Award for Innovation in May for their partnership with Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation on the RAVE Field at Yesler Terrace Park, which is set to open in late August.
Throughout the match, RAVE will promote how fans can donate via cell phone in the RAVE Giving Frenzy. RAVE’s goal is to reach $10,000 by the final whistle, and fans can register early by texting the word SOUNDERS to 52182. A donor has also pledged to match funds with an additional $10,000 if the goal is reached. Funds raised directly benefit programs that support youth and families at Yesler Terrace.
The opportunities don’t end when the game does, as fans are able to attend the RAVE Foundation Post-Match Party at Flatstick Pub in Pioneer Square. RAVE Foundation is the beneficiary of Flatstick Pub’s Sunday Fundraise this week, during which $2 from every beer sold is donated to RAVE. Fans are encouraged to attend and enjoy special giveaways, raffles, a Sounders FC photo booth and more.
