HARRISON, NJ (October 9, 2013) – The New York Red Bulls organized an “11 Days of Service” in the month of September in conjunction with September 11 – the national day of service and remembrance. Red Bulls players, staff and fans were able to give back to the community via the different events as listed below.
September 8 - Special Olympics of NJ Coaches Clinic: Red Bulls Training Program coaches ran a complementary clinic for the soccer coaches of Special Olympics New Jersey at Red Bull Arena. This clinic was held with the aim of improving practice sessions for Special Olympics athletes.
September 14 - Food Drive for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey at Red Bull Arena: As part of National Hunger Month, the Red Bulls hosted a food drive outside of the gates at Red Bull Arena during New York’s match against Toronto FC. Fans were encouraged to bring canned food items that were donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The Red Bulls collected 514 pounds of food.
September 15 - Special Angels Soccer League Visit - Lyndhurst, NJ: The Red Bulls had some of its players visit a special needs soccer league in Lyndhurst, NJ to give them some pointers and sign autographs. The Red Bulls also donated soccer balls to the league.
September 19 – NYC Service Project in conjunction with GrowNYC: Members of the front office and first team worked alongside NYC Service and the nonprofit GrowNYC at Bed Stuy Coalition Against Hunger in the Rockaways - Beach 45 & Beach Channel Dr.(Queens). Duties included building boxes for planters, filling planters w/soil & mulching, building picnic benches & structures for shade & rainwater runoff. This is a 41,000 sq. ft. community garden/Obesity Task Force site, which encourages healthy gardens for healthy communities.
September 20 – Red Bulls Visit Hospital for Special Surgery and Hope & Heroes: Members of the Red Bulls first team visited children at the Hospital for Special Surgery as well as Hope and Heroes Children’s Cancer Fund patients at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City.
September 22 – Soccer Equipment Drive to benefit the NYPD's trip to Colombia: As part of the Red Bulls-FC Dallas and Battle on the Pitch doubleheader at Red Bull Arena, the club hosted a drive to collect old soccer equipment and apparel, which will all be donated to the New York City Police Department for their overseas trip this year. Fans were encouraged to bring their items to the game.
September 24 - New Jersey Project at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey: Members of the Red Bulls front office and first team worked at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The team worked on the Community FoodBank's BackPack Program. During the four hours of volunteering, the Red Bulls were able to put together 2,100 packs. The BackPack Program provides backpacks full of supplemental nutritious, kid-friendly food to children who are “food insecure” over the weekend.
September 26 – Hackensack University Medical Center Visit: Members of the Red Bulls First Team visited the children at HUMC's children's hospital in Hackensack, NJ.
September 29 – Red Bulls Host Believe Program in Hoboken, NJ: Members of the Red Bulls First Team participated in the New York Red Bulls Believe program, an outreach initiative for young athletes with special needs. The program forms part of the Red Bulls extensive player development system that caters for players at all levels of the sport. The Believe program is specially designed to bring the opportunity of learning and playing soccer to any boy or girl who has a disability. Special qualified Red Bulls youth coaches are at each course to ensure appropriate learning takes place. Programs are offered in conjunction with various community partners and agencies that play an important supporting role.
Month of September – Goals for St. Jude: In September, the Red Bulls once again showed their commitment to finding a cure for childhood cancer by participating in Goals for St. Jude – a campaign, in conjunction with MLS WORKS, that raises funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Tim Cahill serves as a Goals for St. Jude ambassador, and the team hosted local-area St. Jude patients and their families for a special night at Red Bull Arena on September 22nd. Many throughout the Red Bulls organization were inspired by these incredible kids, including “Coach Mike” who now wears a special wristband for St. Jude Patient Campbell during each game.
