Portland, September 15th. The nonprofit called YouthBuilders is one of the Timbers’ Pillar Partners. Representatives from the program presented the team flag before the match against the Seattle Sounders, which ended in a 1-1 draw. (A 78th-minute goal by Timbers defender Rodney Wallace evened the score in the volatile match.)
Portland YouthBuilders stretched out the circular flag. The nonprofit provides long term support for low income youth. Each year, it provides education and vocational training for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and who face barriers to success.
YouthBuilders is one of many nonprofits to present the flag and receive free tickets through the Tix for Kids program, others included ROSE CDC, I have a Dream Foundation, Playworks and Latino Network. The ticket giveaway is sponsored by KPTV, JELD-WEN, Providence, NW Natural, Alaska Airlines, PGE, and Burgerville. In addition, at each game the Timbers hold silent auctions with unique team memorabilia to raise money for community work.
The Timbers hold soccer camps and coaching clinics for local kids.
The Timbers Army was out in force during the match against Seattle.
Next, Portland travels to face San Jose on September 19th, while Seattle shifts gears to a CONCACAF Champions League match the same day against Marathon in Honduras.
The Portland Timbers have adopted the following nonprofit pillar partners for the 2011-2013 seasons:
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest
The Portland Timbers will partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest on the Sports Buddies program, which is a one-to-one mentoring program for at-risk youth with an emphasis on sports.
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.
Friends of Trees
The Portland Timbers, JELD-WEN and Friends of Trees will partner for the next few seasons. Every time the Timbers score a goal, the club and JELD-WEN will plant a tree in the Portland community through the Score a Goal, Plant a Tree partnership with Friends of Trees.
Learn more about Friends of Trees.
Portland YouthBuilders
The Portland Timbers will partner with Portland YouthBuilders on a community service project in conjunction with MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program. The Timbers will work in a collaborative effort to combine sport and service and improve lives and communities in the Portland area.
Learn more about Portland YouthBuilders.
Learn more about MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community Service Program.
Other nonprofit connections include Schoolhouse Supplies. In what has become an eight year tradition with Schoolhouse Supplies, the Portland Timbers and The UPS Store welcomed every Jason Lee student to the 2012-13 school year with a new backpack filled with new school supplies for the year.
Would you like to volunteer alongside one of The Portland Timbers? Starting Monday, October 8th, Team members and their sponsors will have a Stand Together Week as a call to action to get involved in our community.
Hands on Greater Portland has a listing of options: Browse the 40+ projects below and sign up for the opportunity to volunteer alongside a Portland Timbers player, ambassador, or Timber Joey! Stand Together Week participants will also get an official Stand Together scarf and adidas drawstring bag as a thank you for stepping up to support volunteerism.
All projects require a $30 registration fee per volunteer, which serves as a donation to Hands On Greater Portland to help cover the cost of organizing this week of service.
Click below to learn more about a specific project and sign up:
*some programs may fill up.
Monday, October 8th
10:00am-1:00pm: Lead Recess with Playworks (age 18+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Prep Bikes for Kids at the Community Cycling Center (age 13+) FULL
4:00pm-6:00pm: Spruce Up the Garden at Ockley Green School (age 12+)
6:00pm-8:00pm: Salvage Building Materials at the ReBuilding Center (age 14+)
Tuesday, October 9th
8:15am-12:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
9:30am-12:00pm: Get Books to Kids at the Children’s Book Bank (age 6+) FULL
10:00am-1:00pm: Lead Recess with Playworks (age 18+)
12:00pm-3:00pm: Organize, Sort & File with Open Meadow Students (age 16+)
12:30pm-4:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
Wednesday, October 10th
11:00am-1:00pm: Spruce Up 53rd Avenue Park (age 6+)
1:00pm-5:00pm: Lend a Hand at Native American Youth & Family Center (age 9+)
4:00pm-6:00pm: Get Creative at SCRAP Reuse Center! (age 16+)
Thursday, October 11th
9:00am-12:00pm: Assemble Kits to Save Lives at the Red Cross (age 12+)
9:30am-12:00pm: Get Books to Kids at the Children’s Book Bank (age 6+)
9:30am-12:00pm: Sort School Supplies for Kids (age 12+) FULL
2:00pm-4:00pm: Sort Clothes & Food for Local Families (age 16+) FULL
2:30pm-4:30pm: Support Youth through Soccer & Poetry (age 18+) FULL
Friday, October 12th
8:15am-12:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
9:30am-12:00pm: Get Out and Garden with Portland Community Gardens (age 10+)
12:30pm-4:00pm: Build Homes, Change Lives (age 14+) FULL
12:30pm-4:30pm: Lead Science Activities at OMSI (age 14+)
1:30pm-3:30pm: Stock the Pantry at the Oregon Food Bank (age 6+)
Saturday, October 13th
8:45am-1:00pm: Plant Neighborhood Trees with Friends of Trees (age 6+) FULL
9:00am-12:00pm: Join in Mulch Mania along the Springwater Trail (age 6+)
9:00am-12:00pm: Restore Local Nature Parks (age 10+)
9:00am-12:00pm: Join the No Ivy League at Marshall Park (age 6+)
10:00am-12:30pm: Get Your Hands Dirty at Zenger Farm (age 8+)
10:00am-1:00pm: Spruce Up Hartley Elementary School (age 16+)
10:00am-2:00pm: Grow & Stock Food at Beaverton’s Giving Gardens (age 10+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Get Ready for Winter at the Supa Fresh Youth Farm (age 5+)
Sunday, October 14th
9:00am-12:00pm: Help Prep for the Hillsboro Library Book Sale (age 14+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Restore Local Nature Parks (age 10+)
1:00pm-4:00pm: Ivy Pulling Party at Tryon Creek Park (age 6+)
1:00pm-5:00pm: Paint It Up at Harrison Park School (age 14+)
Will you volunteer with the Timbers? What sounds like fun?