ORLANDO, Fla. (July 29, 2019) - In continuing its efforts to give back to its local community, Orlando City SC will be providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience to its neighbors. The Club announced today that it will be purchasing 175 tickets to the 2019 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target and donating them to eight youth organizations, including multiple within the Parramore community.
“Hosting the 2019 MLS All-Star Game is a true testament to the growth and love that the City of Orlando has for soccer. However, no celebration of our sport would be complete without the involvement of our community,” Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitão said. “We are so excited to be able to provide this opportunity to our neighbors and to make sure they are involved in and able to enjoy this historic event for the Club.”
“I am thrilled to partner with Orlando City to donate tickets to the MLS All-Star game to children and programs in Parramore,” said District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill. “It is a top priority to ensure that Parramore residents are engaged and included in the world-class events that come to our city. This is a special opportunity for our residents and I am excited they will be able to experience MLS All-Star Game first hand.”
A percentage of the tickets will be distributed to six Parramore-based organizations in the New Image Youth Center, the Parramore Kidz Zone, the Boys & Girls Club of Parramore, Frontline Outreach Center, the OCPS Academic Center for Excellence and Rock Lake Community Center. Tickets will also be distributed to the Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center, Englewood Community Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Pine Hills.
Since making Parramore its home in 2017 with the opening of the Club’s state-of-the-art, 25,500-seat stadium, Orlando City and Commissioner Hill have continuously worked together to advocate for Parramore and the surrounding communities in District 5. Orlando City, as well as the Orlando City Foundation, is committed to making Orlando a healthier place to live and the premiere soccer city in the country.
Since the beginning, giving back to the Orlando community has been a pillar of the Club’s mission. The Orlando City Foundation has funded and installed six total mini pitches - three within District 5 - as well as 10 community gardens. The Foundation also provides free, 12-week youth soccer programs twice a year at each mini-pitch location, inclusive of complementary equipment and gear, and has also sponsored the soccer team at the ACE School, which is just steps from Exploria Stadium.
Each year, Orlando City and Commissioner Hill partner to sponsor and volunteer at a Thanksgiving turkey drive at Shiloh Baptist Church as well as a backpack drive at the Callahan Neighborhood Center.
The 2019 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target will take place in the heart of downtown Orlando at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday, July 31. The league’s top talent, including Orlando City captain Nani, will take on La Liga’s Atlético de Madrid with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
