For NYCFC's goalkeeper, Brad Stuver, it's important to give back. Here's how he's getting involved in New York City's community...
"The Laundry Project is a branch of Current Initiatives. It’s a charity organization based out of Tampa, Florida. The Laundry Project focuses on bringing laundry services to underserved communities. We fundraise money, laundry supplies, and we go into a laundromat in an area and pay for the laundry services and the people coming in can use our supplies as well.
My wife and I have friends in Ohio, Megan and Cory Easterday, who got involved in the Laundry Project before we did. They brought it from Tampa to Ohio from their friend, Jason Sowell, the CEO and founder of Current Initiatives. They got us involved in Columbus while I was playing for the Crew.
Jason Sowell reached out to different laundromats across different boroughs, I decided to bring the Laundry Project to the Bronx because that’s where we play. I wanted to stay here because that’s the community that serves us, so I wanted to give back to them. One of our other volunteers lives in the Rockaways so she wanted to give back in her area so those are the two locations we’ll be serving.
We’re working on a lot of different things right now. Donating laundry supplies like detergent, fabric softener, bleach, dryer sheets, all the way to visiting the website and donating money. $1, $5, any little bit helps. Even just spreading the word. If you want to get involved, the event will be on June 15th. We’re working on doing an NYCFC volunteer day. If you want to get involved in any way, just reach out.
For me, I think it’s really important to give back to the community that you’re in – no matter if you’re working a 9-5, professional athlete, anything. They’re the people that give you the opportunity to do what you do and every little thing matters. One good deed leads to another. Doing good things in the community first can have a butterfly effect to bigger things."
Current is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in Florida that started with young adults committed to educating others on current social initiatives and mobilizing them to bring about change. Current establishes community groups for awareness and education and organizes local initiatives such as the Laundry Project, Hope For Homes Projectand Affordable Christmas.
The Laundry Project assists low-income families with meeting a basic need – washing clothes and linens, by turning laundromats into community centers of hope. Laundry fees are paid for while volunteers assist with laundry services, entertain children, and create a caring space at the laundromat.
