Stand Together Week | A day with Adelante Mujeres

Timbers and Thorns players joined Adelante Mujeres on Wednesday to help with a farmer's market in Forest Grove.

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Portland Timbers and Thorns FC have been busy during their week of service for their 12th annual Stand Together Week. On Wednesday, Timbers, Thorns and Timbers2 players participated in the set-up, operation, and take-down of Adelante Mujeres' farmer's market space.

As Main Street closed to motorized vehicles and booths began to come up, Timbers' Zac McGraw and Marvin Loría along with Thorn Hannah Betfort walked by each stand offering aid in setting up. An hour of table unfolding and awning raising later and PTFC had Main street up and going.

• Learn more about Adelante Mujeres and their community programs

"This is such an amazing event for people to start their own businesses," said Betfort. "Being able to help other people, guide them and experience the gifts and skills they have is something I wouldn't have gotten to experience otherwise. I feel a little overwhelmed to be playing such a microscopic role today, but I definitely plan on coming back because there's so many things I haven't seen or gotten to experience before."

The Farmers Market on Main Street had vendors from all cultural backgrounds and displaying all sorts of items and goodies. In collaboration with Adelante Mujeres, whose building is directly on Main Street, Timber Joey provided additional aid in the delivery of the fresh farm produce set to be put on display.

With the purpose of focusing on the needs of immigrant communities, standing together with Adelante Mujeres was a no-brainer for Costa Rican Loría.

"For us, Stand Together Week is very important," said Loría. "Adelante Mujeres is a great organization to partner with because they are working hard towards equality for women. I feel like the Hispanic community has to make themselves present in any part of the world, and through events like this [farmer's market], we can show our cultures and I think it's great."

The work of Loría, McGraw, Betfort and Timber Joey to set up and support Adelante Mujeres' market provided for an extraordinary Wednesday night. T2 players Ryan Bilichuk, Keesean Ferdinand, and Victor Griffith joined the event to aid with the market itself and engaged with local community members to learn more about Forest Grove and its market. Memories were created with community members that will only grow Stand Together Week's impact.