The Houston Dynamo Football Club will celebrate its second annual Dynamo Charities Weekend this weekend as both the Houston Dash and Houston Dynamo FC play at PNC Stadium. The weekend serves as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on Dynamo Charities, the official 501(c)(3) non-profit arm of the Club, and its work in the Houston community throughout the year.
The Dash host Racing Louisville on Friday, Aug. 12 at 7:30 p.m. CDT and the Dynamo host CF Montréal on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 8 p.m. Additionally, the sold-out Dynamo Charities Classic tournament will take place on Sunday, Aug. 14 at Top Golf Katy.
Dynamo Charities believes in using the sport of soccer to support communities in the greater Houston area. The organization is committed to leveraging the passion of the Club’s players, staff and fans to provide resources and education that positively impact lives in the Houston community.
“Dynamo Charities Weekend is one of the highlights of the year for us, but our commitment to the Houston community is a year-round effort,” said Dynamo Charities Director Valerie Holland. “Thanks to the leadership of our new Club owner, Ted Segal, we’ve been able to significantly increase our impact this year and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our contribution to our community moving forward.”
The organization focuses the majority of its efforts around four pillars: food insecurity; support for Military and Veterans organizations; youth and community development through soccer; and cancer support and awareness.
Fans will have multiple opportunities to contribute to Dynamo Charities throughout the weekend, beginning with simply purchasing a ticket to the Dash and/or Dynamo games. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, whose iconic cancer strike-through logo is featured on both teams’ jerseys, will donate $1 from every single-game ticket purchased online to Dynamo Charities. To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.
Fans can also buy tickets for the 50/50 raffle, and this weekend’s raffle features a new twist: the jackpot will roll over from Friday’s Dash game to Saturday’s Dynamo game, meaning that the winner will take home an even larger share than at a typical game. All proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will benefit Dynamo Charities.
On Saturday night, fans will have a third way to contribute, by participating in the first-ever Dynamo Bucket Bonanza postgame. For $5 apiece, fans can purchase tickets to toss a mini-soccer ball from the front row into one of several buckets placed at various locations on the pitch and win prizes. Prizes include team-signed soccer balls, bobbleheads, retro jerseys, gift bags and other memorabilia.
Dynamo Charities will also host an online auction via the DASH App auction platform where fans can bid on Dynamo and Dash memorabilia. The auction is highlighted by a signed Héctor Herrera Dynamo jersey and a signed Rachel Daly PRIDE-themed Dash jersey, along with a wide range of other autographed memorabilia.
Throughout the year, Dynamo Charities hosts a number of programs in support of its mission and pillars. One of its most high-profile programs is Futbolito in the City powered by Shell Energy, which provides free soccer programming and free play to youth in the greater Houston area. The 10-week program, which is hosted at local parks, schools and Dynamo and Dash mini-pitch locations, provides free coaching from the Club’s licensed youth coaches to kids ages 6-14 for 90 minutes per session. Participants have the opportunity to receive prizes including Dynamo and Dash gear, tickets and autographs as well as the chance to meet Dynamo and Dash players.
Dynamo Charities also supports the Hero of the Game presented by Katz Coffee at every Dynamo and Dash home game. At each game, an active-duty member or veteran of the armed services or a first responder is honored for his or her bravery, sacrifice and dedication to our community. The on-field recognition is one of the highlights of every Dynamo and Dash game.
Dynamo Charities’ commitment to the community is rooted in actions and extends to all members of the Houston Dynamo Football Club family, including players and coaches, staff and fans. Each year, the Club family combines to participate in more than 1,000 hours of volunteer work in the Houston area. Two of the most popular volunteer sites are Kids Meals and the Houston Food Bank, which both support Dynamo Charities’ pillar of addressing food insecurity.
