Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Union earn $50k grant for Chester United soccer organization

Purchase, N.Y., (September 21, 2010) -   Philadelphia Union have won a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant as part of a promotion with all 16 Major League Soccer clubs for the Chester City United soccer organization. After four weeks of voting and nearly 150,000 votes, Pepsi today announced that the Union received the most votes, earning the $50,000 towards creating a full-sized natural grass soccer field.

"I am extremely proud to be a part of this project," said Philadelphia Union forward and MLS Pepsi Refresh ambassador Alejandro Moreno. "I believe it is really important for the kids and we know that this $50,000 grant will serve as a very helpful tool to provide soccer fields for the children in Chester and our community."

Philadelphia Union first partnered with Chester Upland School District to bring organized soccer back to Chester Middle and High School and then partnered with various community organizations to form Chester City United, a soccer organization currently serving over 300 boys and girls.  The next step is to develop a place where the children of Chester can play and learn the game of soccer.  With the help of Union fans, 1,500 aspiring soccer players in the Chester Upland School District and the Chester City United team will have the opportunity to hone their skills right in their own backyard.

"Making a difference in the City of Chester has been our mission from Day One," said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz.  "Our goal is to impact the community in which we work on a daily basis and winning this grant for Chester City United is just another example of the tremendous work that we have done over the last year."

All 16 MLS clubs asked fans to join them in making a difference in America's communities as part of the Pepsi Refresh Project. Each club outlined an idea - from building soccer fields for local youth, to hosting a festival to motivate children to stay in school, to helping children with autism. Fans voted online over the past four weeks for the idea that they felt should win the Pepsi Refresh grant. Fans can visit www.MLSsoccer.com/pepsirefresh for more information on the winning idea and the Pepsi Refresh Project.

"I'm extremely excited that the kids of Chester City United now have a home field to call their own," said Pat Trippley, Founder of the William Trippley Foundation and a member of the Chester City United Organization.  "I'd like to thank the parents, my friends and family and the community for voting and making this possible.  I am truly overwhelmed."

The Pepsi Refresh Project is a groundbreaking effort to foster innovation in social good that will award more than $20 million this year to fund great ideas that help impact the world. Throughout 2010, Pepsi will fund ideas that will move the world forward in six categories: Health, Arts & Culture, Food & Shelter, The Planet, Neighborhoods and Education. The Pepsi Refresh Project, which launched January 13, 2010, features significant social engagement around people and the power of ideas. People are encouraged to submit their ideas and to cast a vote for their favorite ideas at www.refresheverything.com

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