At a public event held on July 11 at Modern Times Beer in Point Loma, attended by hundreds of soccer fans, San Diego Major League Soccer donated $100,000 to the San Diego Foundation.
Among those in attendance were supporter group members of other professional soccer clubs Albion San Diego, San Diego Wave, and San Diego Loyal, along with San Diego Foundation president and CEO Mark Stuart.
“We hit our number a while ago and decided on the back of that to make a special presentation,” said San Diego MLS president Tom Penn. “The San Diego Foundation does so much good for so many in the community. We aligned with them on behalf of all of us as part of our let’s kick it season ticket deposit with the donations that were made by each of you and the rest of the community.”
San Diego MLS held its “Let’s Kick It Party” at Snapdragon Stadium on May 20, which came two days after the announcement that San Diego was awarded the 30th Major League Soccer spot to start playing in 2025. Tuesday’s event also featured music, drinks, and food for those attending with information provided as to the game plan for future announcements specifically dealing with the soccer team itself including the official name.
By partnering with the San Diego Foundation, San Diego MLS aims to connect with the community, promote social equality and create a pathway for aspiring young soccer players to pursue their dreams. The funds will be utilized to expand existing youth soccer programs, with a focus on underserved communities throughout San Diego County. The initiative aims to remove barriers to participation and create a level playing field for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
“The original idea was just to have a supporter event,” Penn added. “It’s our sincere privilege and honor and pleasure to make our first $100,000 donation to the foundation. I say first because there will be a lot more, we’ve collected a lot more than $100,000.”
The San Diego Foundation is known for its dedication to inspiring philanthropy and enabling community solutions to improve the quality of life in the region.
“We are grateful for partnerships with community leaders like San Diego MLS and inspired by its commitment to foster youth development and equity in San Diego County,” said Stuart. “By working together, we will create a brighter future for our youth and create a lasting legacy through soccer.”
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