New York, N.Y., December 9, 2022 – New York City Football Club (NYCFC) and Midea have launched the City in the Community Play It Forward Holiday Cup.
The Holiday Cup is a fundraising 5v5 soccer tournament to support free soccer programming for homeless youth through City in the Community (CITC) – the foundation proudly supported by NYCFC. With this event, in partnership with Midea, the organization will be purchasing cold-weather gear that will be donated to New York City-area homeless shelters during the holidays.
On Sunday, December 11, eight teams will compete against each other in a knockout tournament at Sofive Brooklyn’s indoor soccer center. The fundraising sporting event will have silent auctions and raffles to raise additional funds and feature family-friendly activities, including a holiday card-making station for residents of the shelters that will be receiving clothing donations.
As New York City continues to face all-time high homeless shelter populations, Midea and City in the Community joined forces to help through a blend of free soccer programming, youth mentorship and Midea product donations.
Andres Gonzalez, NYCFC Vice President of Partnerships, said: “Giving back to our communities is vital to our mission, and Midea has proven time and time again to be an invaluable partner to both NYCFC and our foundation City in the Community. The Holiday Cup builds on the impactful work we’ve already started together and will enable Midea and NYCFC to extend our commitment to using the power of soccer to uplift the health of young people in New York City.”
“We are especially excited to help support an essential local initiative in the spirit of giving as we head into the holiday season this year,” said Kurt Jovais, president of Midea America Corp. “We are thrilled to work in partnership with NYCFC to provide some much-needed warmth and comfort, and also fun to those in need, while temperatures continue to drop.”
To date, Midea and NYCFC’s partnership has seen City in the Community provide leadership and workforce development training to more than 70 young people aged 16-24 who are currently in the shelter system, giving them the skills, confidence and paid job opportunities to deliver community soccer programs to younger kids in the community.
“Coaching soccer for kids in the community is more than just teaching them how to kick a ball. It's about helping them develop important life skills like leadership, teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship that can be applied to help them in school, begin their careers and beyond,” said Fredy Sorto, City in the Community Young Leader.
Earlier this year, Midea and NYCFC employees provided a helping hand, delivering over $100,000 worth of appliances Midea donated to two South Bronx area shelters. The donation included a variety of air purifiers, dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and standing fans to increase indoor air circulation. The donated products were selected to address an increase in childhood asthma as well as poor air quality in the Bronx.
To learn more about NYCFC and Midea’s partnership, click here.
