Quakes Foundation Celebrates Banner Month of Community Impact

October 7, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Quakes Foundation celebrated a banner month of community impact throughout September. From the annual Wine & Dine fundraiser, to a multitude of programs surrounding the Grow the Game initiative and events during Kick Childhood Cancer Month, there was no shortage of action that produced a positive effect on local children and families.

Despite the club’s Major League Soccer season coming to a close in October, the Quakes Foundation is proud to continue to make a difference year-round. Among last month’s highlights:

10th Annual Wine & Dine Raises $100,000 for Programs

The Quakes Foundation held its 10th Annual Wine & Dine event on Sept. 5 at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos. The sold-out event, attended by 160 guests along with 14 San Jose Earthquakes players, head coach Ian Russell and general manager Chris Leitch on Sept. 5, raised $100,000 in support of the foundation’s mission to improve youth health and fitness and fight food insecurity in Northern California.

“We are deeply thankful to our supporters, partners, and the entire Quakes community,” said Robert Davis, head of the Quakes Foundation and Earthquakes VP of Community Relations. “This event not only celebrates our shared love for soccer but enables us to make real, lasting impacts in our community, especially for our youth.”

The evening featured a gourmet dining experience, raffle, silent and live auctions, as well as an opportunity for guests to connect with Quakes players who hosted tables throughout the night. One of the event’s highlights was hearing from community leaders and individuals who have directly benefited from the foundation’s work. Esteban Mercado, captain of the Special Olympics Quakes Unified team, shared how the Unified Soccer program has been life-changing, while Sunnyvale Community Services, a partner in the Quakes Foundation’s Pledge74 initiative, spoke about distributing 5,000 meals to underserved families, contributing to the Quakes’ broader goal of providing 50,000 meals this year.

During the “Fund the Future” segment, former Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Murry Schekman discussed the need for ongoing support to rebuild the soccer field at Pajaro Middle School, which was damaged by flooding along with the rest of the Pajaro Community in Watsonville in 2023. His message was bolstered by California Giant Berry Farms CEO Joe Barsi, who pledged $20,000…