July 20, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release
RENTON, WASH. – Sounders FC and its charitable partner, RAVE Foundation, celebrated their annual fundraising event, which raised over one million dollars in support of the club’s mission to build 26 small fields for free play by the end of 2026 in historically marginalized communities throughout the State of Washington. Presented by Delta Air Lines, RAVE’s Born in ’74 Gala was held on Thursday, July 18 at the Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse in Renton, with more than 600 guests in attendance. At this year’s Gala, RAVE Foundation announced its intention to double the initial goal of building 26 soccer mini-fields to 52 total fields, with the target date of completion in time for FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The annual fundraising showcase included a live auction emceed by Sports Radio 93.3 KJR’s Dick Fain and former Sounders captain and current club Brand Ambassador Brad Evans. The event was highlighted by the performance of four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and mental health pioneer Jewel, who entertained attendees with her soulful music while sharing her personal stories of mental health advocacy, which is one of RAVE’s cornerstones. The recording artist auctioned off the guitars she played with during her live performance with proceeds to benefit RAVE Foundation.
“When we set our goal to build 26 fields by 2026, we knew it was bold,” said RAVE Foundation Executive Director Ashley Fosberg. “Yet, in just a few short years, thanks to momentum and energy surrounding FIFA World Cup 2026™, we are thrilled to announce we will meet that goal early, with 26 fields built in underserved communities by the end of 2024. But we don’t intend to stop. We doubled our goal so more kids and families can benefit from bright, beautiful, free-play spaces in their communities. As 2026 nears, we hope these fields will be anchors for gathering and connectedness through play – and points of pride for communities for many years.”
Fosberg said RAVE Foundation will open its 20th field next Tuesday, July 23 at Renton’s Tiffany Park with at least six more coming to fruition by this fall.
Special guests this year included Sounders FC and Reign FC owners, leaders from throughout the Seattle business community, Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, Reign FC Head Coach Laura Harvey, members of both of their respective teams, representatives of the broader Seattle sports and entertainment…
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