The Atlanta United Foundation and Good Sports teamed up on Monday, Dec. 4 to donate a variety of brand new soccer equipment & apparel to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. As part of their commitment to the community, Atlanta United employees picked, packed and delivered more than $120,000 worth of items to nine Metro Atlanta YMCA branches in communities that need it most.
“We are proud to partner with Good Sports on this important and impactful project,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “As a key part of our mission, the Atlanta United Foundation aims to make the game of soccer accessible and inclusive across our state. This program allows us to work toward that goal by supporting the Metro Atlanta YMCA and providing equipment that will allow greater access to our sport for deserving local kids.”
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The picking and packing of this equipment by Atlanta United associates took place at the brand-new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, home of Atlanta United. Included were 5,000 pieces of equipment including soccer balls, team uniforms, pop-up goals, protective gear and training equipment that will impact 6,000 kids across Atlanta.
“At Good Sports, we strive to support programs that put children on the path to healthier, more active lifestyles,” says Melissa Harper, CEO of Good Sports. “The Atlanta United Foundation is generously supporting this work and equipping kids in Atlanta with the resources to get active, while engaging their employees in the process. We are thrilled to partner with them and share this experience with their employees.”
As part of the event, Atlanta United associates not only packed soccer kits, they also joined Atlanta United players Alec Kann, Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin, Patrick Okonkwo, and Lagos Kunga to deliver donations to these deserving communities. Members of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s youth soccer programs were given the opportunity to test their skills against the pros they admire.
“The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is grateful for the support that we have received from the Atlanta United Foundation and Good Sports. At the Y, our goal is that every child that wants to participate in youth sports has the opportunity to do so,” notes Ed Munster, CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “The first youth soccer program in America was started at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta in the late 1970s, and we have remained committed to introducing youth to soccer locally for 40 years. We hope to inspire a love of the game, while encouraging team work and skill development. No child is turned away from the Y for inability to pay so we offer financial assistance to ensure all who desire to participate can. It is a pleasure and a privilege to partner with the Atlanta United Foundation and Good Sports to help youth have the equipment they need. Thanks to equipment donations like this, we are able to offer quality programming and experiences for the youth that we serve in all communities across Atlanta.”
About Good Sports
Good Sports gives all kids the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity by providing equipment, apparel and footwear to those most in need. Since 2003, Good Sports has provided more than $22 million worth of equipment to more than 3,400 youth programs, impacting over FOUR MILLION kids. Good Sports has also been awarded a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest charity evaluator, for sound fiscal management, transparency and accountability; is a Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance accredited charity; and is listed on Social Impact Exchange’s S&I 100, an index of top American nonprofits creating meaningful social impact. For more information on how you can support Good Sports, please visit www.goodsports.org
About Atlanta United Foundation
The Atlanta United Foundation (AUF) strives to make the game of soccer accessible and inclusive for individuals across the state of Georgia. Through the global game of soccer, our grant programs stress the importance of physical fitness while building a supportive culture of play and sportsmanship. AUF invests in nonprofit organizations that make soccer fun, exciting, and accessible for individuals who otherwise would not get to participate. AUF is an affiliated fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
