Players, Sponsors Along With Futbol Friends Raise $16,000 for Soccer Access Worldwide
Each year around Thanksgiving in Newtown, CT an eclectic bunch of soccer aficionados band together to play for a cause in a 12-hour soccerthon fundraiser known as Six2Six. The simple act of playing that is so often taken for granted - until we grow old and unable to perform on the pitch - the reason for our collective efforts. 13 years (almost) running, Six2Six is the cornerstone of our (Futbol Friends) efforts to provide access to soccer [Futbol] to children worldwide. This year’s fundraiser was the site of tremendous play and philanthropy by our beloved players and sponsors, raising more than $16,000 for our efforts over the next 12 months.
This year’s fundraiser was particularly special as players returned to indoor activity after more than a year away due to the pandemic. We had many questions going into planning this year’s fundraisers. Would players show up? Would sponsors be interested in an indoor event during a pandemic? The answer to both questions was a resounding yes.
50+ sponsors pledged their support to Six2Six, committing between $100 and $1,000 each. A huge thank you to this year’s President’s Club Sponsors! As a special thank you to all of our sponsors we have created a section on our website to commemorate your commitment to soccer [futbol] development worldwide.
Players arrived in bunches beginning promptly at 6:00 AM. By 10:30 AM the field was packed forcing our organizers to divide the pitch into two full games. At 11:00 AM more than 30 children from Williams Academy and Newtown Youth Soccer arrived as the adults graciously relinquished the field so they could run drills and scrimmage. When all was said and done, more than 100 players participated in this year’s edition of Six2Six! Thank you players for your support and inspiring us with your performance.
Coming out of Six2Six, a common question is, “So, where does my monetary commitment go?” Well, we’re pleased to announce that we have already committed $5,000 to a unique impact project lead by our partners at Charity Ball. Charity, founded by division 1 soccer player Ethan King, was born via a well-intentioned trip and the impact of one soccer ball. While on an impact trip to Mozambique, Ethan brought his soccer ball and began to play with the local kids, many of whom had never seen a soccer ball before. The kids were immediately infatuated by the ball and began to play tirelessly filled with a joy for this unknown game. The impact that one ball had sewed the beginning of an idea. Providing one donation that secured a ball for a child that needed it. Thus, “Donate $25 dollars and a child will receive one ball was born.”
Today, Charity Ball is operating a more sophisticated program that provides teams at home and abroad with equipment, coaches, training, clean water, and even educational resources. Their current project for which we have pledged our support arose out of concern for children displaced by war in Northern Mozambique. Our $5,000 commitment will go to supporting approximately 400 children from eight communities so that they can participate in this community program surrounding the beautiful game of soccer [futbol].
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