PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC today announced a new expanded partnership with Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR), with SOOR volunteers selling tickets as part of the 50/50 raffle program, offering SOOR the opportunity to promote and raise funds for their organization, and Providence Park playing host to three Special Olympics events between June and November 2019.
“We are so proud to continue our longstanding partnership with SOOR and we are proud to host their amazing athletes at Providence Park,” said Mike Golub, president of business for the Timbers and Thorns FC.
Throughout select matches, SOOR volunteers will sell tickets with 50 percent of the gross proceeds collected going to one randomly selected fan, while the remaining proceeds net of the raffle expenses will support the mission of SOOR and Stand Together’s Fields for All initiative with Operation Pitch Invasion. Select raffles throughout the summer also will be multi-day rollover jackpots from both the Timbers and Thorns FC games.
Further strengthening the partnership with the clubs and SOOR, Providence Park will play host to the 2019 SOOR Summer Soccer Invitational presented by Daimler on June 7-8, the second leg of the Unified Sports match, presented by Providence Health & Services, between the SOOR Timbers and Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) Sounders (Aug. 23) and the Fall Games presented by Providence Health & Services on Nov. 16.
“On behalf of SOOR, we are thrilled to grow our long-standing partnership with the Timbers, Thorns FC and Providence Park with so many important initiatives throughout the season,” said Britt Oase, CEO of Special Olympics Oregon. “These amazing opportunities allow our athletes and unified partners from around the state to showcase their talents on the pitch in front of family, friends and fans. The 50/50 raffle will be a wonderful chance to raise funds and awareness, while connecting the community and soccer supporters to our mission.”
On June 7, the SOOR Summer Soccer Invitational begins with a school-day soccer clinic for local elementary and middle school students with and without intellectual disabilities, as well as health and wellness activities, featured soccer matches and a concert at Providence Park. The tournament will continue on June 8 after opening ceremonies in the morning, with SOOR Unified Sports high school and adult soccer teams taking part as well as traditional adult soccer teams. In addition to sponsorship support from Daimler Trucks North America, this event is made possible through generous partnerships with the Timbers and Thorns FC, Providence Health & Services and Special Olympics International.
Entering its ninth year, the Unified Sports exchange matches, presented by Providence Health & Services, will feature a two-leg series between the SOOR Timbers and the SOWA Sounders. This home-and-away series highlights players with and without intellectual disabilities, competing alongside each other as they represent their hometown club. After the first leg in Seattle on July 21, the two teams will square off in the second leg on Aug. 23 ahead of the Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders FC match at Providence Park. The Special Olympics Cascadia unified soccer exchange series is the longest standing rivalry in what has become a league-wide partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) and Special Olympics North America.
Concluding the slate of events is the Fall Games presented by Providence Health & Services on Nov. 16. This regional, one-day event will feature four fields and 12-15 teams competing as part of the tournament with opening ceremonies scheduled to kick off the games.
Special Olympics Oregon
Special Olympics Oregon serves thousands of participants with intellectual disabilities year-round and statewide through the organization's life-changing sports programs. Athletes gain self-confidence, social competency, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community. Learn more at www.soor.org.
During the 2018-19 school year, the Unified Champion Schools initiative exposed more than 46,000 students with and without intellectual disabilities to Unified Sports® competition and experiences, youth leadership opportunities and school-wide respect campaigns within 150 elementary, middle and high schools across Oregon.
