Thorns players select three local charities to benefit from semifinal ticket proceeds

Portland Thorns FC will donate a portion of the October 23 semifinal ticket proceeds to Girls on the Run, Girls Inc., and SHE FLIES.

Portland Thorns FC will donate a portion of the semifinal ticket proceeds to three local charities, the club announced today.  Thorns FC players selected Girls on the Run, Girls Inc., and SHE FLIES as the benefiting recipients. The club has committed to donating a minimum of $100,000 across the organizations.

“Hosting an NWSL playoff match is a privilege that these players worked very hard for, and in turn the club and players wanted to use the occasion as an opportunity to connect with and benefit our community here in Portland,” Thorns FC general manager Karina LeBlanc shared. “To support their wishes, a portion of the proceeds from the game will be donated to Girls on the Run, Girls Inc., and SHE FLIES. Thorns players selected these charities for their tireless efforts to create safer environments for girls and women and their commitment to championing the youth in our community.”

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade, teaching life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.

Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest provides life-changing programs and experiences for youth ages 6-18 that help them grow up healthy, educated, and independent. In partnership with schools throughout Portland, Seattle and SW Washington, they focus on holistic youth development. The combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl inclusive environment, and research-based programming equips young people to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent.

SHE FLIES is an initiative under the Sport Oregon Foundation umbrella working to support, engage, and celebrate girls and women in sport across Oregon. With a mission to connect girls and women across Oregon to sports, SHE FLIES creates inclusive communities through programs, partnerships and networks, making sport a welcoming place for all—all body types, all races, all ages, all income levels.