SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today announced that it is launching Impact Seattle Week, a club initiative that features various community events across the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Sounders FC’s largest community outreach event of the year, Impact Seattle Week features Sounders FC players and staff members partnering with numerous charitable organizations to participate in local events throughout the week to positively influence the greater Seattle community.
“Impact Seattle is our mechanism to think big – to imagine the possibilities and explore the opportunities of what impact looks like in our community,” said Sounders FC Director of Community Outreach Roger Levesque. “At Sounders FC our call to action is United in Green, but the possibilities in Seattle are limitless. Over the next week we’ll partner with eight different organizations, each working to make our region a healthier and more vibrant place to live in a different way. This year over 1,600 local nonprofits will benefit from Seattle Foundation’s one-day fundraiser GiveBIG, and we are proud to raise awareness for this important initiative.”
Impact Seattle Week includes a Sounders FC presence at multiple community events each day from April 20-26. Designated Players Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins are set to appear at We Day Seattle on Thursday, April 23 at Key Arena, alongside a cast of world-class speakers, including eight-time speed skating Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno, social advocate and filmmaker Kweku Mandela and Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll. We Day Seattle brings together 15,000 students and teachers in an inspirational setting celebrating the commitment they have made to take action locally and globally.
The Rave Green’s Cascadia Cup clash with the Portland Timbers on Sunday, April 26 serves as the Impact Seattle Match, featuring over 20 non-profits in the North Plaza involved with both Sounders FC’s United in Green campaign and The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG 2015 initiative. As part of the match, GiveBIG’s 2015 promotional video featuring Sounders FC’s Lamar Neagle is set to debut in-stadium at halftime. Other events throughout the week feature organizations like Habitat For Humanity, Seattle Goodwill, Washington Green Schools, Ronald McDonald House and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
IMPACT SEATTLE WEEK SCHEDULE
Monday, April 20: Sounders FC players Leo Gonzalez and Troy Perkins, Sounders FC 2 players Andy Craven and Sam Garza and Sounders FC staff are partnering with Habitat For Humanity to build La Fortuna, a new affordable housing development for families in Renton’s Benson Heights.
Tuesday, April 21: Sounders FC is set to support Seattle Goodwill’s Breakup4Good, a campaign centered upon “breaking-up” with an outfit and donating it to charity, with proceeds supporting free job training and education programs. Sounders FC players Brad Evans and Chad Marshall will be at the South Lake Union Goodwill from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. PT signing autographs. Fans are encouraged to bring donated items to support the cause.
Wednesday, April 22: For Earth Day, Sounders FC staff will team up with Washington Green Schools to build new rain gardens and murals at Viewlands Elementary School, located in Piper’s Creek in Seattle. Washington Green Schools is a nonprofit organization that challenges kids and communities to create greener, healthier K-12 schools. The Piper's Creek watershed is the third-largest watershed in Seattle and contains a number of in-stream species.
Thursday, April 23: Sounders FC players Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, alongside Play-by-Play Voice Ross Fletcher join a cast of world-class speakers at The Key Arena as part of We Day – a day built around empowering the youth of Seattle to change the world. Other speakers include Apolo Ohno, Kweku Mandela and Pete Carroll. We Day Seattle brings together 15,000 students and teachers in an inspirational setting celebrating the commitment they have made to take action locally and globally.
Friday, April 24: Friday marks the last day to support Sounders FC captain Brad Evans and Director of Community Outreach Roger Levesque for Men in Kilts to help support Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington and Alaska supports seriously ill children and their families. They provide a “home-away-from-home” to help families through a difficult time. April 24 is the last day to vote for Evans and Levesque.
Saturday, April 25: Sounders FC staff and alumni are set to compete in Seattle Urban Trek in support of Seattle Children’s Research Institute. The Seattle Urban Trek is a team adventure race that combines the amazing attractions of Seattle with treasure hunting, running, social media, problem solving and team work. Teams race a six to seven mile course consisting of a series of fun and unique check points hosting mystery cognitive or physical challenges.
Sounders FC alumni Taylor Graham and Roger Levesque are guest speakers at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation TEEN ACTION FAIR at 12:00 p.m. PT. This free event runs from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and features more than 20 dynamic youth speakers and displays that provide special insights into youth-led projects and highlight opportunities for local teens and families to give back. Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives.
Sunday, April 26: Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers (6:30 p.m. PT / FOX Sports 1) is the Impact Seattle Match. The North Plaza of CenturyLink Field will feature more than 20 nonprofits involved in both United in Green and GiveBIG 2015. As part of the match, GiveBIG’s 2015 promotional video featuring Sounders FC’s Lamar Neagle is set to debut in-stadium at halftime. The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG is a one-day, online charitable giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations who make our region a healthier and more vital place to live. Sounders FC is hosting the GiveBIG headquarters on May 5 inside The NINETY.
