Stand Together
Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer
Continuing the new tradition of the presentation of roses following Thorns games to the goal scorers and goalkeeper who achieved a shutout, Girls, Inc. has been sending participants from their great youth programs to meet players after the game and hand them the roses in front of the North End supporters. For an organization that looks to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, it's truly a special moment after the match.
June 6, 2013 vs. FC Kansas City
Hannah Wilker is a 6th grader in the Access Academy Alternative Program.
What makes your strong, smart and bold?
I am strong because I am good with my friends and I am very confident. I like to help others achieve their goals. I am smart because I study a lot and I have motivation – well, sometimes I procrastinate, but everyone has their moments. And in general, I am good with people which can make you smart. I can be bold a lot. I like to challenge what others think if I don’t not think it is correct. And I will admit when I am not correct about what I am thinking but I definitely like to challenge common ideas.
Tell us about today:
I was at the season’s opening day match which was great. But today’s game was more high energy and a more goals were scored. It definitely had a different kind of energy.
Favorite part about today:
My favorite part about today was definitely the game. I really liked Alex’s goals – they were very pretty and superb. And the Rose Ceremony. I was so nervous! They are amazing soccer players – they are world class and I aspire to be like them. They are my role models.
It has been demonstrated time and again that soccer has the power to make a positive impact in the community. The Portland Timbers firmly believe in that potential and constantly seek new opportunities to become involved through their community outreach platform Stand Together.
MLS WORKS is recognizing individuals from every MLS city, who have taken this idea to heart and promote goodwill, demonstrate leadership qualities and help to improve lives within their community.
Through June 20th, fans can nominate themselves or somebody in their community who sets an example as a leader in the community and uses soccer as a tool to help make a positive impact in one of the following areas:
- Social issues focusing on acceptance and equality
- Health issues affecting men, women or children
- Community service for a local, national or international charity or community organization
One community MVP will be selected for each team and will receive VIP tickets, recognition during a 2013 home game, team merchandise, and an autographed item.
One Grand Prize winner will receive a $10,000 donation to their charity of choice and a trip to the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, including airfare, accommodations, and tickets. The Nominator of the Grand Prize winner and one guest will also receive a trip to the 2013 AT&T MLS All-Star Game.
To nominate your MLS WORKS Community MVP, click here.
Read full contest rules here.
Photo by L.M. Parr
The St. Baldrick's Foundation is an organization that raises money to fund the research of childhood cancer. Saturday, June 8th, will mark the 11th annual St. Baldrick's event at Oaks Park in Portland. In the months leading up to the event, participants organize teams and set fundraising goals. This year's Portland Timbers team is led by forward Brent Richards.
Richards, who particpated in last year's event, recently had knee surgery and has chosen this fundraising effort as a way to contribute to his team and community during his recovery process. The team's goal was set at $3,000, and they just reached it. You can help Brent and the team beat their goal by donating here.
On Saturday, Richards and others from the Timbers organization will shave their heads at the event as a sign of support for St. Baldrick's and the youth affected by cancer. The Timbers and St. Baldrick's encourage everybody to come out and participate, whether it be by shaving your head, donating, volunteering, or showing up to show your support.
The festivities get going this Saturday at Oaks Park at noon and Richards is scheduled to shave go bald at 1:50pm.
Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer
Continuing the new tradition of the presentation of roses following Thorns games to the goal scorers and goalkeeper who achieved a shutout, Girls, Inc. has been sending participants from their great youth programs to meet players after the game and hand them the roses in front of the North End supporters. For an organization that looks to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, it's truly a special moment after the match.
June 1, 2013 vs. Chicago Red Stars
Ani Draper is a 6th grader who attends St. Clare Elementary.
How would you like to help other girls feel Strong, Smart and Bold?
Ani: I would like to help girls realize that they are just as strong, smart and bold as boys. I think that it is important for girls to have the same opportunities as boys, like an education. Here in the United States girls can go to school and get an education, but it isn’t that way everywhere. I would like to try to make a difference for girls that live in other countries that don’t have the same opportunities for education.
Tell us about today
A: It was really cool watching the girls play. It was my first Thorns game. When we were walking here I was getting all nervous. But once the game got started I was really amazed by at how big it was, how many people and what the women were doing down on the field.
What makes your strong, smart and bold?
A: Something that makes me strong is that I listen to my inside voice. Something that makes me bold is that I’m not afraid to tell other kids if they are being mean. If someone is not being respectful to another kid I tell them to stop – in a way that is not completely rude about it. I just get the point across that they are doing something that is wrong.
What was your favorite part about today?
A; Probably watching them warm up and practice. I also like watching them head it – they are so fast.
Continuing the new tradition of the presentation of roses following Thorns games to the goal scorers and goalkeeper who achieved a shutout, Girls, Inc. has been sending participants from their great youth programs to meet players after the game and hand them the roses in front of the North End supporters. For an organization that looks to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, it's truly a special moment after the match.
Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer
May 16 vs. Sky Blue FC
Alysse:
What was your favorite part about today?
A: We got to watch the Thorns game and it was really fun to meet all the players and see so many people here to watch them.
Tell us an example of you being strong and smart?
A: I brought flyers for the arts and music for school and handed them out to different neighborhoods and it’s hard because you have to answer their questions.
Violet:
What was your favorite part about today?
V: The best part was Alex Morgan, giving us hugs and it made me really happy because she’s my favorite player on the team. I feel that being strong in sports is good for girls.
Tell us an example of you being strong and smart?
V: At my old school I was being bullied so I switched school and I felt a lot better after that.
Kaitlynn:
What was your favorite part about today?
The best thing about tonight was meeting Alex Morgan and all the other players and when the head coach gave me a scarf. I play forward and really like Nikki Washington and Alex Morgan.
Tell us an example of you being strong and smart?
It’s important to be a good sport and shake people’s hands after the game even when you lose.
Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer
May 19 vs. Washington Spirit
Marilyn Danley
What was your favorite part about today?
M: This was my first Thorns game. My favorite part of the day was the game because it was so exciting and we got to sit so close.
What was special about presenting the roses?
M: Since Alex and Christine scored I got to give them roses. It was really special presenting the roses because I got to meet the player who are really nice and it was fun. This will be a very special memory
What makes you strong, smart and bold?
M: I am strong, smart and bold because I really like sports. I love to play soccer.
What do you like most about playing soccer?
M: What I like most about soccer is that you get to use your head, in both ways. You also get to hang out with friends and it takes a lot of team work.
Isabella Ventura
What was your favorite part about today?
I: My favorite part about today was getting the chance to come out on the field and meet the players.
What was special about presenting the roses?
I: Karina didn’t let any goals in so I got to give her the flowers. It was so cool because I got to be close and see them.
What makes you strong, smart and bold?
I: I am strong, smart and bold because I get to be a voice for girls.
What do you like most about playing soccer?
I: My favorite part about playing soccer is that we get to play and the people cheer us on – just like we cheered on the Thorns today.
The Portland Timbers Don't Cross The Line.
After hearing about about Atticus and Green Machine's memorable Make-A-Wish 10-9 win over the Timbers, ESPN's legendary sportscaster and fellow cancer survivor Stuart Scott spoke on SportsCenter tonight about the game and announced it as the No. 1 ESPN Top 10 Play of the Day.
"That is my new hero: Atticus."
Watch it:
With the Timber’s first win stirring up Portland soccer fans last week, Kevin Carroll’s exhibit The Power of Sport + Play at Mercy Corps’ Action Center gallery could not have been better timed. The author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball knows exactly how sports can empower a community just as they have electrified Portland.
Carroll’s exhibit features a mixture of sports media including books, paintings, "dream boxes," inspirational quotes, and balls from around the world. Hidden in gym lockers are mementos from Carroll's life, each with different themes such as his first childhood book Where the Wild Things Are as well as memorabilia from his time as the Philadelphia 76ers trainer. The exhibit ranges from Carroll’s own personal life as well as from inspirational athletes, philosophers, and international communities with a common denominator of sport and play.
Carroll kicked off the exhibit this past Tuesday night in a special lecture about on his own background as well as his philosophy that a ball can change the world. Sport and play bring people together by breaking down prejudices and creating a common ground. Carroll simplified the idea of sport being an amazing medium for communication because, as he put it, "We all speak ball."
Carroll’s exhibit The Art of Sport + Play is on view April 4 - July 31, 2013 during Mercy Corps Action Center hours 11am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday. For more information on Carroll and his inspirational story, visit his website. To learn more about the Portland Timbers pillar partner Mercy Corps, visit them here.
Portland takes great pride in being a “green” city, and the Timbers & JELD-WEN Field embrace their role with their own “green” campaign. In addition to their on-going efforts to be more eco-friendly, the Timbers are providing fans with another opportunity to contribute.
At the two home games in April (4/6 vs. Houston & 4/14 vs. San Jose), the Timbers are teaming up with E-cycle to collect and properly eco-dispose of used cell phones.
E-cycle is providing the Timbers with two collection containers that will be located at the Stand Together table in the main concourse and at the east side of the stadium. After the phones are collected, E-cycle wipes the phones completely clean of all information, so donors do not need to worry about their personal information being leaked. The batteries are then eco-disposed, the metals are melted down, and an environmental impact statement is generated for the club.
Once the value of the donated phones is determined, E-cycle will send the proceeds to the Stand Together campaign. Newer, higher quality phones such as iPhones and the Galaxy S have a higher E-cycle value. And to throw in an extra added incentive, the first 100 fans that bring in eligible phones will receive a pass to the adidas Employee Store.
The campaign begins Saturday, April 6, when the Timbers host the Houston Dynamo. So bring your old, unused cell phones, help the environment, help Stand Together and, if you get there early enough, get a pass to the adidas Employee Store. Win, win and win.
Brent Richards - Photo by David Blair
Even with their 2013 campaign under way, the Portland Timbers haven’t forgotten about the goals they scored in 2012.
The Timbers, along with Stand Together community pillar partner Friends of Trees, are gearing up to plant trees this Saturday as part of the club’s “Score a Goal, Plant a Tree” program, presented by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors.
From 9-10:30 AM on Saturday, March 30, Portland Timbers players Sal Zizzo and Brent Richards and mascot Timber Joey will join forces with volunteers and the Timbers Army in Happy Valley to plant trees along the banks of Rock Creek and its tributaries.
This is a great opportunity for Timbers fans and volunteers from the community to work side by side with Timbers players by planting trees together in an effort to help restore the banks of Rock Creek and protect the natural beauty of Oregon.
This volunteer restoration event is part of the Rock Creek Partnership with SOLVE and the Clackamas River Basin Council, led by Friends of Trees. Rock Creek is a tributary to the Clackamas River and supports numerous species of wildlife, including salmonoids.
Friends of Trees will provide breakfast snacks along with hot chocolate and coffee for those arriving before the 9:00 AM scheduled start. They also encourage volunteers to come dressed for the weather and wearing boots or sturdy shoes when joining them to plant trees.
Volunteers are welcome to join the Saturday tree planting at 15241 SE Chelsea Morning Drive, Happy Valley, OR 97086 (map). Visit www.friendsoftrees.com/volunteering for more information.
